Several residents told the Granite County commissioners on May 20 that heavy hauling tied to local construction and riprap projects has badly degraded a county corridor leading to Forest Service access roads.

Brad Sturmuth, who gave his address as 74 Viking Lane, said contractors hauling rock and riprap are “running the side dumps out there” and “we're beating the road up.” He said a roughly three-mile stretch from recently placed millings down to the Forest Service boundary has become “slimy” and described repeated potholes and a loss of road crown after blading.

County staff and other speakers said material hauled last year contained high clay content that contributes to muddy conditions when wet. One staff member said some portions of the road received millings and better materials in the upper mile but the last mile was “just turned into a raw” muddy condition and needs multiple loads of better gravel and regrading.

Speakers discussed whether private contractors or project sponsors (several contractors were named in public comment, including Missouri River Contractors) have formal maintenance agreements with the county to repair haul-route damage. County staff said there is not a single standard money-for-maintenance trade; the county and contractors sometimes share work or funds on specific stretches, but not uniformly.

Commissioners and staff said they will inspect the road, reblade problem sections and place additional gravel where needed. Staff noted plans to schedule more extensive repairs once construction activity subsides to avoid adding gravel that would quickly re-mix with wet clay.

Multiple residents urged clearer expectations and pre-project agreements so contractors would be required to repair haul damage. A county official said the county can perform work and bill contractors if necessary, but emphasized timing and weather constraints: “After it dries out... then we'll get involved,” a staff member said.

No formal contract modifications or fee assessments were approved at the meeting; commissioners directed staff to follow up, inspect the road, and report back with a recommended schedule and costs for material and blade work.