Commission accepts Barton Road bid amid broader concern over county road damage from heavy traffic

The Weston County Commission accepted a $84,030 bid from Timberline to perform improvements on Barton Road and used that agenda item to discuss county‑wide road conditions and the difficulty of funding repairs in the current season.

Public Works staff and commissioners discussed the practical tradeoffs of accepting a low bid despite paperwork irregularities with another bidder. Commissioners said they preferred to award the job now rather than re‑advertise and risk losing contractors who are already booked for the summer work season. The board approved the Timberline bid by voice vote and asked Public Works to contact the contractor immediately to confirm availability and execute a contract.

Several residents and commissioners also described heavy damage on county roads such as Bruce Road, Breeze Road and portions east of Dewey. Meeting attendees said heavy oilfield and freight traffic — including multi‑axle crude and service trucks — was causing rapid deterioration of wearing surfaces. Commissioners and Public Works discussed short‑term options that could include pavement ripping to lift existing gravel and re‑use of underlying material in places, but they cautioned that some roads will still require new gravel or full reconstruction. Public Works staff said the cost of hauling new gravel can run high and that contractors can be fully booked during the season.

Commissioners asked staff to examine options, including short trial sections (rip and re‑grade) to test whether in‑place material can be re‑used, and to continue pursuing any available grants or special funding for industrial‑traffic‑intense routes. Public Works staff also noted that industrial internal traffic is often not fully captured by counters sited at highway junctions because trucks may cross the county at a different point after entering the oilfield.

Direct quote from the meeting: "The understanding was even if we did what’s on there, we couldn't have had it... But I think that's part of the bid process that we're putting in there. Maybe a footnote: make sure all documents are signed for the bidders." (commissioner discussing bid packet irregularities)

What commissioners decided and next steps: the Timberline bid was accepted; Public Works will contact Timberline to finalize scheduling and contracting. Commissioners asked staff to develop a short plan for prioritized road repairs and to explore grant avenues and possible pilot methods (ripping and relaying) to contain costs on heavily trafficked sections.