Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Road Maintenance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
County schedules gravel hauling and ditch work on M44; long-term paving plans discussed
Summary
San Miguel County said West End crews will haul several thousand cubic yards of gravel to stabilize steep sections of M44 next week, and county staff said it will seek larger contracts and paving for the worst Mesa dirt roads in future budget cycles.
San Miguel County public-works staff told residents they will bring West End crews to M44 next week to haul an estimated 3,500 cubic yards of gravel to stabilize a steep two-mile section of the road, and that longer-term contracts to rebuild other Mesa dirt roads will be advertised this summer.
Ryan (Road & Bridge) and county supervisors said M44’s steep grades are degrading rapidly under heavier modern traffic; the county said crews will pull ditches, reestablish flow lines, apply fresh gravel and compact the surface before applying dust-control materials to stabilize the roadway.
Residents asked how to reduce damage; staff recommended that drivers use four-wheel drive when climbing steep, loose sections and asked property owners and contractors to avoid behaviors that accelerate washboard formation. Staff said ongoing staffing shortages make it difficult to meet all maintenance needs, and commissioners acknowledged additional one-time funding would be required to rebuild the worst sections—staff said the county will advertise a contract this summer to address several critical Mesa roads and will consider paving steep, high-traffic sections in future years.
The county also said a traffic counter had been installed on M44 and that staff would pull data and share results with residents on request; staff encouraged residents who need an immediate response to file road-repair requests through the county system, which they said triggers faster follow-up.
