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Road and Bridge: zipper delivery delayed; Clark Road work and Iola chip-seal approved; county accepts donated radar speed sign
Summary
Road and Bridge reported equipment delays that could affect project timing, said a resilient communities grant application is pending, and won court approval for third chip seal layer for two Iola streets and to accept a donated solar radar speed sign from Grupo Ortiz.
The Grimes County Road and Bridge Department told Commissioners Court on July 16 that delivery delays for a key reclamation machine (an "asphalt zipper") have pushed expected delivery to September and could affect planned road projects, although staff are pursuing rental options.
John Steyer, road and bridge superintendent, said the zipper's delivery slipped from June/July to September, citing supplier delays and supply-chain issues. He told the court his top project remains Clark Road; staff hope to rent a reclaimer if necessary so they can complete subgrade stabilization and chip seal before the end of the fiscal year. Steyer said crews continue routine mowing, tree removal and hot-mix repairs, and that one grant application—a $250,000 resilient communities program award—stands a good chance of approval.
On separate agenda items, the court approved work on City of Iola streets under an existing interlocal agreement (third chip-seal layer on Bulldog Lane and Fort Worth Street). County labor and equipment are expected to cost $1,700; materials cost to the city is about $4,900. Commissioner Chad Mallett moved to approve the Iola work; Commissioner David Tullis seconded and the motion carried.
Steyer also reported the county received a donated solar-powered radar speed sign from Grupo Ortiz (the contractor on a nearby solar project). The sign displays vehicle speeds and can display variable messages (flooded road/road closed/slow down) and contains a camera. Steyer told the court he will work with the county attorney to ensure any data collection complies with statutory limits (for example, restrictions on using plate-capture data for enforcement) and will present an installation and data plan before redeployment. The court accepted the donation by motion.
Votes at a glance: the court approved the Iola road work (motion by Commissioner Chad Mallett; second by Commissioner David Tullis) and accepted the Grupo Ortiz radar speed sign donation (motion by County Judge Joe Fowles; second by Commissioner Michael Rasca).
