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Humboldt County roads and maintenance staff report heavy work loads, dust-control plans and no major paving this year
Summary
County staff reported around 400 open work orders covering dust control, driveway and tile repairs; dust-control work is scheduled next week, major paving is deferred until next year and a local letting for a small paving project cannot begin until July 1 due to funding timing.
County roads and maintenance staff told Humboldt County officials they are handling a large backlog of maintenance work orders, preparing dust-control treatments, and do not plan major paving projects this construction season.
A roads staff member said the department is "sitting at around 400 open work orders right now," covering tasks from right-of-way tree trimming to driveway construction, sign repair and dust-control sites. The department expects most driveway work to arrive in the spring; dust-control work is scheduled to begin next week and the department reported having the materials ready.
Staff said there will be no major paving projects this year. A local letting for paving smaller curve improvements at the bottom of Aberdeen and Rutland will occur after July 1, when funding becomes available; because state/local funds are not available until July 1, the county cannot advertise or let that project before then.
Officials discussed materials and cost pressures: one speaker said rock was expensive in Des Moines at close to $19 per ton and that some contractors are sourcing rock from Seaver's at about $9.25 per ton or Martin Marietta at $10.80 per ton and bringing it to the county.
Staff also discussed potential schedule changes for county crews, including moving to 4-10 schedules or other condensed-week arrangements to align with other counties; they noted that construction periods will require flexible schedules (five 12-hour days when contractors are on site).
Why it matters: The backlog of open work orders, dust-control scheduling and deferred paving affect local roads, farm access and budgets for maintenance; material-cost pressures were cited as factors that could influence project timing and scope.
