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Residents press Oliver County for dust control and speed enforcement on gravel road near wind towers
Summary
Residents told commissioners dust from heavy traffic near wind towers is a health and safety concern; commissioners kept 35 mph temporary limits on part of the road and discussed targeted crushed-asphalt/gravel treatment and enforcement steps, but did not authorize county-wide treatment pending further consultation and cost estimates.
Residents from a rural subdivision north of Highway 25 urged the Oliver County commissioners to take action to control dust and speed on a two-mile gravel stretch near wind towers that has generated complaints and health concerns.
A local resident described horses coughing from dust and said heavy farm and commercial traffic produces near-blinding dust storms on dry days. Supervisor Kenny (road superintendent) and commissioners discussed several mitigation options: targeted crushed-asphalt or aggregate application near driveways, temporary speed signage (a 35 mph limit was already posted on the most affected two-mile segment), county enforcement of posted limits, and chloride or other dust-control chemicals. Cost estimates discussed in the meeting included roughly $18,000–$22,000 for two treated sections (36 truckloads, about 3 inches over a quarter-mile stretches) and $30/ton for crushed-asphalt deliveries, although those are preliminary and depend on local supplier inventory.
Commissioners committed to maintaining the temporary 35 mph limit for the worst two-mile stretch, directed staff to pursue local enforcement and communications with trucking companies after residents provide specific incident times, and agreed to reconvene with the affected households and road staff for a targeted plan. No large-scale county-wide dust-treatment purchase was approved at the meeting; commissioners said they worried that funding a one-off treatment could prompt many similar requests across the county.
What residents can expect next: enhanced enforcement patrols during peak work hours, a further field survey and cost estimate for crushed-asphalt placement, and a meeting between commissioners, road staff and affected households to scope a targeted mitigation plan.
