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Coffee County highway officials report storm response, rising traffic and maintenance plans
Summary
At the Feb. 4 meeting, Coffee County Highway Superintendent Benton Bartlett and Assistant Superintendent Joseph Dobson outlined storm response (about 35 tons of salt used), equipment maintenance, pothole crews, beaver-related road damage, a temporary salt shortage, rising traffic counts and plans for spring paving and repairs.
The Coffee County Highway Commission heard operations updates on Feb. 4, 2026, with staff reporting storm response, equipment maintenance and several near-term repair plans.
Benton Bartlett, Coffee County highway superintendent, said the county used about 35 tons of salt during the recent snow and ice storm and that all snow-removal equipment "worked well." He told the commission mechanics are conducting annual maintenance and the equipment shop is currently full, and that the county runs three teams to patch potholes daily as weather permits. Bartlett said staff discussed purchasing a "hot box," a piece of equipment that keeps asphalt hot for road patching and small paving jobs, and noted paving season will resume in spring with an ongoing prioritized list of projects.
Joseph Dobson, assistant highway superintendent, described beaver-related damage on Shed Road that required using a track hoe and seven loads of rock to rebuild a section of road, and additional issues at Asbury Church Road. He said the tile crew recently completed ditch work on Buck Jones and New Busy Branch roads and that the county plans shoulder repairs on Blanton's Chapel and Lyndell Bell roads near Normandy Lake.
Dobson reported employees logged 113 hours of overtime responding to the storm. He said six trucks, one plow and one salt box were assigned to the most traveled and hazardous routes. The county had ordered 50 tons of salt but the supplier, Morton’s, was temporarily out; Dobson said the county will accept delivery as soon as the supplier has stock.
Dobson also said new traffic counters show minimum 1,000 vehicles per 24 hours on some secondary roads and more than 2,000 vehicles on main thoroughfares, indicating a significant increase in traffic in parts of Coffee County.
Commission member Mrs. Duke added that Schafer and Pea Ridge roads have locations needing hot-mix repairs. Commissioners Mr. Bush, Mr. Markum and Mr. Weaver reported no new business.
The commission set its next meeting for March 4, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. at the Administrative Plaza. Mr. Bush moved to adjourn; Mrs. Duke seconded and the meeting ended.
