Bedford County installs sign-making machine, expands road work and recycling; solid-waste contract raises disposal rate

The Bedford County highway superintendent told the county commission on Jan. 14 that the highway department has installed a sign‑making machine, replaced several hundred road signs, completed paving projects and is rolling out traffic-count equipment and new recycling services; the superintendent also reported the county will face higher solid-waste disposal costs under a new regional contract.

Highlights from the highway department report: - Sign-making: The county installed a new sign-making machine and has replaced 309 road signs to date out of the county—s roughly 600 roads; the superintendent said the goal is to replace signage on more than 500 roads over time. - Paving and crossings: During the past season the county paved seven roads and five railroad crossings. - Snow/route planning: The department established a list of 21 collector roads to prioritize for winter clearing this season; the superintendent said the county will reuse that route and reevaluate next year. - Traffic counting pilot: The department purchased a traffic counter and plans to pilot counts at the county convenience/transfer centers to better estimate usage and target future maintenance. - Recycling: A glass recycling bin at El Bethel has been installed and is in active use; a $124,000 grant to support recycling equipment and bins was announced but grant distribution is delayed, with anticipated equipment arrival in May–June 2025. - Solid-waste contract: The county—s regional solid-waste authority (ISWA) has awarded a new disposal contract priced at $58.86 per ton. The superintendent said the county—s current contracted rate had been a low figure (discussed in the meeting as $7 per ton, a legacy amount), and the new award will raise disposal costs; commissioners were advised to account for the increase in upcoming budget discussions.

Why it matters: the sign production and replacement program addresses safety and emergency response navigation; traffic counts and targeted paving inform maintenance priorities. The new ISWA disposal rate will materially increase ongoing solid-waste costs and will be a factor in the county budget process.

Ending

Commissioners asked follow-up questions about signage, speed-limit sign production, tree removal on state highways and the grant timeline for recycling equipment; the highway superintendent said he would follow up with the Tennessee Department of Transportation on tree removal and will provide updated grant and traffic-count numbers as they become available.