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County engineers flag paving equipment limits, approve traffic-signal timing study agreement
Summary
Engineer Mark Massey updated commissioners on two subdivision plats and a paver breakdown that prompted contractor Cowen Equipment to recommend slower paving speeds and consideration of a 10-foot paver for larger roads; the commission also reviewed a professional-services agreement with Kimsey Horn & Associates to study signal timing at several intersections with potential DOT involvement.
County Engineer Mark Massey told the Limestone County Commission on Feb. 2 that staff submitted two subdivision plats for consideration—Byram Estates (preliminary, four lots, District 4) and Swaner and McVay Place (preliminary and final, eight lots, District 3)—and provided an update on paving operations.
Massey said Cowen Equipment's paving specialist identified a breakdown and recommended operational changes to prolong equipment life. "We've been going about 70 feet a minute... they said we need to bring that back down to about 45 feet a minute or so," Massey said. He added that an 8-foot paver is adequate for some county roads but is being overloaded on wider roads; "in order to do those bigger roads... we may need to... look into another paver," Massey said, suggesting the county weigh doing larger roads in-house versus using a contractor or trading for a 10-foot paver.
Separately, the commission reviewed a professional-services agreement with Kimsey Horn & Associates to analyze and modify traffic-signal timing at the intersection of Highway 99 and Market Street, Newcut Road and West Elm Street. Massey and the chair noted that because the project uses a DOT route the county must submit any timing changes to ALDOT.
Why it matters: The engineer's report flags equipment-capability and maintenance issues that affect the county's ability to perform in-house paving and may influence near-term capital spending decisions. The signal-timing study aims to reduce intersection wait times and may require coordination and cost-sharing with the city and ALDOT.
What commissioners said or did: Massey solicited feedback on prioritization and equipment options; commissioners heard that some cost-sharing would be expected with the city for physical changes and that ALDOT approval is required for DOT routes.
Next steps: Engineer will seek feedback and return with recommendations on whether to limit in-house paving scope, pursue a 10-foot paver or arrange contractor work; the traffic-signal timing study will proceed to the study phase and, if changes are recommended, will be presented to ALDOT for approval.
