Albany County directs clerk to advertise countywide chip-seal contract; bid schedule prioritizes worst-condition roads

Albany County Commissioners on Jan. 21 directed the county clerk to advertise for contractor bids on a countywide chip-seal program, prioritizing the worst-condition roads first under the county’s bid schedule.

Why it matters: The chip-seal work is part of planned road preservation funded from SPAT and other county resources; commissioners said the approach targets the most deteriorated roads first and tightens technical specifications to reduce post-application damage.

Jake (county staff) told the commission the bid schedule is informed by a condition assessment produced by a university-affiliated committee and that the county will award projects progressively, spending roughly $4 million from SPAT over the multi-project schedule. “Our bid schedule starts out with the worst roads and goes on down to the best road,” Jake said.

Jake said the county tightened specifications this round, including stricter temperature windows for application, to reduce loose rock and other quality issues. He also told commissioners he expects two or three firms to bid because the work is seasonally constrained.

Action and vote: Commissioner [mover not specified in transcript] moved to direct the clerk to advertise the Albany County Road Chip Seal Project for contractor bidding. The motion passed on an affirmative voice vote.

What’s next: The county will accept bids and return to the commission with contractor awards; staff said the program will focus first on the worst-condition roads and then proceed down the prioritized list as funds allow.