San Juan County public‑works supervisor outlines repairs, road closures and truck permitting as contractors test new stabilizer material
Loading...
Summary
Public‑works supervisor Rusty Melcher briefed commissioners on emergency repairs to Little Giant Road, rock‑truck permitting and a pilot purchase of a high‑cost road stabilizer product, and the board approved hiring a third road crew member.
San Juan County public‑works supervisor Rusty Melcher updated commissioners Aug. 13 on multiple maintenance and emergency projects.
Melcher said crews closed the Little Giant Road for safety after substantial sloughing and are preparing a soil‑stabilization scheme that will include drilling and installation of heavy steel plates and split sets to stabilize the failing slope. He described a plan to rent a large rotary hammer and to trial a specialty product (described as a deckspan) to consolidate fractured rock and stabilize the road; a pallet was quoted at about $5,000 and the county planned to buy a half pallet for trial application.
Melcher also described hauling plans and routes for rock and aggregate, noting that rock‑truck permits are required and that some bridges and culverts have load limits; he asked the contractors to submit route plans so county engineers can verify safe crossings. Commissioners and staff discussed using an over‑the‑hill bypass to avoid bringing heavy trucks through town and asked for specific route maps and permit applications for articulating rock‑truck use.
The department also recommended hiring a third permanent/seasonal worker (Daniel Bechtel) to fill a water‑truck/operating position; the board moved, seconded and approved the hire during the meeting.
Why it matters: Road safety on remote county routes, correct permitting for heavy hauling, and prompt remediation of failing slopes are critical for public safety and for keeping roads open for emergency access and recreation. The county asked contractors to provide specific permit applications, truck types and routes before beginning large‑scale hauling.
Ending: The public‑works office will circulate haul‑route plans and required permit forms to county permitting and will coordinate with the county’s bridge and engineering staff to confirm safe timings and load limits. The county approved the recommended hire and asked to see the deckspan test results before further purchases.
