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Dickinson County finishes 33 miles of chip seal; county reports lower per‑mile cost than contracting
Summary
Public works reported completion of 33 miles of county chip seal at $519,000 total (about $15,700 per mile), substantially below contractor quotes of $25,000–$27,000 per mile; commissioners discussed paving strategy and equipment lifespan.
The Dickinson County Public Works Department reported that its chip‑seal program for the year is complete and provided cost comparisons with private contractors.
Lauren Tandy Hill, director of public works, told commissioners the county completed 33 miles of chip seal this season at a total cost of $519,000—about $15,700 per mile. Hill said contracting firms had quoted roughly $25,000 to $27,000 per mile; the county’s in‑house approach saved an estimated $10,000 per mile.
Commissioners and staff discussed pavement strategy for difficult segments, including approaches where the county stopped jet sealing and elected to pave due to unexpectedly poor base conditions. Hill said paint striping (about 95 miles) was scheduled to start the following week, and crews would finish identified overlays and small asphalt patches.
Equipment and capital planning: Commissioners and public‑works staff discussed the age and capabilities of chip‑seal laydown equipment. Staff said the county’s current equipment has served well but acknowledged newer laydown machines used by private contractors are larger and more automated; replacement would incur substantial capital costs. Officials discussed staged approaches—double chip seals and phased overlays—to build roads to a level that supports heavier paving equipment without immediate full reconstruction.
Why it matters: The lower cost per mile for in‑house work can save the county money short term, but officials said strategic capital planning and incremental surface treatments are necessary to maintain roads and plan for future equipment replacement.
