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Commissioners debate polymer road trial, recommend targeted testing and rental strategy for rollers
Summary
After a field trial showed mixed results, commissioners discussed polymer resurfacing for local roads, concluding tests should use larger rollers and controlled test sections; they debated renting vs. buying heavy rollers and recommended a pilot test before larger purchases.
Commissioners discussed results from a recent polymer road treatment trial and agreed the treatment requires more controlled pilot testing and adequate rolling equipment before wider adoption.
The discussion highlighted that insufficient rolling and local groundwater conditions undermined early applications. Committee member (S4) and Committee member (S3) both emphasized that the surface must be repeatedly rolled to achieve intended durability. Committee member (S4) said the contractor "didn't have a big enough roller the first time and then they had to go get a bigger roller," and commissioners recommended testing a smaller trial section before committing to large-scale work.
Why it matters: road-surface choices affect maintenance costs and safety; an improperly rolled polymer layer can fail quickly and require frequent rework, increasing long-term costs. Speakers suggested that if a roller is only needed for a few weeks per year over a multi-decade horizon, renting may be more cost effective than buying.
The board discussed options including renting equipment, creating a pooled purchase with neighboring counties, and budgeting for rental in future road plans. Committee member (S3) suggested a test plot approach: "Let's see what works" on a small portion rather than committing the whole segment at once. The board left the item with a direction to evaluate rental options, equipment sizes and a recommended pilot program.
The meeting moved on to other agenda items after commissioners agreed to seek more precise estimates and return with a recommendation on whether to rent or purchase heavy rollers and how to structure pilot tests.
