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Custer County details new road‑building approach, plans speed enforcement on upgraded roads
Summary
The county said it will shift from spot repairs to rebuilding roadbeds on prioritized routes to lengthen maintenance cycles, will test a new road‑base product, and will work with the sheriff to enforce lower speeds on improved roads such as Copper Dulcher to protect crews and extend pavement life.
Custer County officials described a change in road maintenance practice that emphasizes rebuilding and consolidating roadbeds rather than frequent spot repairs.
County staff said they will prepare roadbeds properly (ripping, recompacting, installing new road base and crowning) and then pack and maintain them, rather than repeatedly moving small amounts of material to fix potholes. They reported new equipment purchases including a compactor and said crews have recently rebuilt several sections (including work near the dam, Boneyard Park area and plans for Copper Dulcher/Copper Gulf/Great Creek routes).
Staff stressed speeding as a leading cause of accelerated road degradation and said the county will work with the sheriff's office to enforce lower speed limits on rebuilt sections. The board said speed limits will remain lower (target ~35 mph in work zones) and that deputies will patrol and enforce the limits; workers' safety and protection of newly graded surfaces were cited as reasons for enforcement.
The county will pilot a new road-base product (not mag chloride) supplied by a private company; staff plan to compare life-cycle costs versus traditional mag chloride and gravel approaches and report back to the board.
The board also discussed public notice and detours while work is underway and said the road-and-bridge office maintains an online map showing prioritized roads and counts/speeds obtained from roadside counters used to set priorities.
Ending: Staff will proceed with the Copper Dulcher rebuild and test the new road base; deputies will increase enforcement in work areas and staff will return with cost-comparison results for the new road-base product.
