Road and Bridge details chip-seal costs for Rosita stretch; commissioners warned of rising oil prices

Custer County Road and Bridge reported July 16 that chip-sealing a 5.24-mile stretch of County Road 328 (Rosita) cost $144,057.21, with the oil component accounting for nearly $95,497 of that sum.

Road and Bridge representative Vince broke the project costs down during the staff meeting: the chip oil bill was $95,496.98 for roughly 5.24 miles; 3/4-inch chip rock used totaled about 367.47 tons at $16.50 per ton; equipment hours were listed at $42,496.98. The department said the oil-per-mile cost worked out to roughly $18,224.61 per mile, and rock added another roughly $1,157 per mile.

The department also said supply and equipment issues have complicated the schedule. Rollers ordered from an out-of-state vendor arrived the wrong size, creating a $5,500 problem and risking delay. Road and Bridge estimated the department could still complete about three more miles of chip sealing if materials and equipment allow but noted the roller and supply problems could push the schedule into August.

Why it matters: chip-seal is a lower-cost pavement-sealing alternative to full asphalt; it protects the road surface and is less expensive than repaving. But county staff said oil-price increases and supply-chain issues are making chip-seal significantly costlier than in previous years and will factor into maintenance budgeting for roads.

What commissioners were told: Road and Bridge recommended prioritizing sections most needing sealing, planning around current equipment constraints and coordinating with procurement for replacement rollers and additional rock supply. The department also billed the town of Silver Cliff for labor on a recent work effort.

Next steps: Road and Bridge will continue to schedule chip-seal projects, attempt to recover the cost of the incorrectly manufactured rollers from the vendor and provide updated cost estimates for remaining roads.