Gage County road crews report wrong aggregate delivery, prep for winter and sign replacement plans

At the Dec. 11 meeting, Gage County Road & Bridge staff told the board they received an incorrect material delivery on a township project: drivers hauled 3/8" screenings when specifications called for larger crusher run (5/8" or 1.5"). Foremen and drivers described a miscommunication in ordering and billing that led to the substitution; the quarry said it had run out of the specified sizes toward the end of the job.

Road & Bridge staff said the county has used both northern and southern quarries in the past depending on project needs and material quality; in some cases the southern quarry’s material suits particular projects better. Staff said they will meet Friday to revise snow and procurement policies, including a preference to source from the closest appropriate quarry when possible, and to confirm material specifications with drivers before loading.

Crews reported snow‑season preparations: additional tubes and six bridge projects to be delivered this year, a heat‑pump unit had arrived for upper floors (pending installation), trucks and a snowblower were prepped and GPS tracking is in use for snow vehicles. Staff said salt inventories are adequate but they plan an additional salt run to top the bin.

The road crew also described an uptick in missing and shot‑up signs in the northern part of the county. They have been rapidly replacing regulatory signs (stop and yield) for safety; nonregulatory intersection signs are being deferred. The board and staff discussed possible disposal or sale of used signs to nearby villages and record‑keeping procedures to track dispositions within the county’s delegated authority.

Board members asked for clear documentation and a protocol to reduce similar procurement or communication errors going forward.