Calhoun County awards major paving and rehabilitation contracts to Lakeland Asphalt

Calhoun County commissioners on March 19 approved several road projects and vendor awards to move this year’s construction program forward.

Christine Parsons, the county’s road department managing director, told commissioners the county received multiple bids for the countywide HMA paving program and recommended Lakeland Asphalt as the low and qualified bidder at roughly $2.6 million. Parsons said the county often works with Lakeland because the firm has provided flexible contract arrangements and reliable performance in prior years.

Parsons also briefed the board on the 6 Mile Road Rehabilitation project, with work stretching from B Drive South to just south of Boyd Road. The project is cost‑shared: the county will pay 50 percent, Leroy Township 25 percent and Newton Township 25 percent. Lakeland Asphalt submitted what the road department described as the low, qualified bid — about $1.12 million — and the board approved the award. Parsons said earthwork and trenching (to widen shoulders and replace culverts) will precede paving; the contract shows a June 8 date but staff said earlier start dates in May are being discussed.

The board also approved prequalification of multiple vendors for the county’s pothole patching program (RFQ 106-26) at the same $120 per hour rate used last year. County staff said the program typically runs April through early July and that the county supplies asphalt materials while vendors supply labor and equipment. The road department estimated the patching program budget at approximately $400,000 for 2026.

All three actions were approved by the board during the meeting.