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County outlines 5‑year pavement plan and approves Argonaut change order

Lake County Board of Supervisors · December 18, 2025
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Summary

Interim Public Works Director Lars Ewing presented a five‑year chip‑seal–focused pavement preservation plan (155 miles over five years) funded largely from SB1 and other highway funds; the board approved a $311,850 change order to Argonaut Constructors to complete asphalt work in the Cobb project.

Lake County's interim Public Works director presented a five‑year, financially constrained pavement‑preservation plan on Dec. 16 that prioritizes in‑house chip‑seal work and uses SB1 and other transportation funds to raise the countywide Pavement Condition Index (PCI).

Lars Ewing described the county road network (about 612 miles total, 464 paved) and said the last formal PCI assessment (2022, Lake Area Planning Council) put the paved network in the poor range (PCI 34). Staff reported 38.5 miles of chip‑seal work completed in 2025 at a materials/contract cost of roughly $1.6 million (about $42,000 per mile). The five‑year proposal would preserve about 155 miles (roughly 31 miles per year) at an assumed average cost of $50,000 per mile (includes a material/contract escalation assumption), with a projected five‑year total under $8 million. Ewing and Road Superintendent Jim Hale emphasized using the county crew (28 workers) for most preservation to get higher value for tax dollars.

During discussion supervisors asked about district rotation, equity and the timing of a new PCI study (expected in 2026). Several supervisors urged balancing network‑wide priorities with district needs; staff said the approach relied on road‑crew knowledge of problem segments and would be updated when the upcoming PCI results are available.

Separately, the board approved a contract change order to Argonaut Constructors (2024 Cobb pavement rehabilitation) to add approximately 1,500 tons of asphalt at a cost of $311,850 to complete a subset of roads that required thicker overlays rather than chip seal. Interim Director Ewing said SB1 funds will cover the change order and the contractor was prepared to resume work immediately. A motion to approve the change order passed unanimously.

The board and staff discussed possible ballot measures or other revenue options to increase durable paving and capital projects; staff noted some capital projects (bridges, storm damage repairs) require other funding and local matching. The presentation and vote leave staff directed to continue planning and to present updates tied to the 2026 PCI update.

Outcome: board approved Argonaut change order ($311,850) and directed continued implementation of the pavement preservation plan.