County Commissioners approve 2025 Road Plan

The commissioners approved the 2025 Marshall County Road program during their meeting on Monday.

Highway Superintendent Jason Peters presented the plan and told the commissioner it is underfunded.  The cost estimate for this year’s projects to chip and seal roadways, complete paving projects, reclaim county roads, and road maintenance was $2,328,235.

Peters said the County Council seemed supportive of his request for an additional $1 million to fund the 2025 Road Plan.

This year’s plan includes chip and seal projects for Pioneer Drive from State Road 17 to the jail and Lincoln Highway from the city limits to the western county line. Additional chip and seal projects are King Road from U.S. 30 to 3 Road, Plymouth Goshen from King Road to U.S. 106, Juniper Road from 12B to State Road 10, Elm Road from 7B to 3B, 3B Road from Elm to Fir Road, 4^th Road from Elm to State Road 331, and the County Line Road from 2B to 3B.  These projects total 34 miles and will cost the county an estimated $595,000.

The County Highway Department's paving projects are 9B Road from State Road 331 to the County Line, 14^th Road from State Road 17 to the County Line, 4^th Road from King Road to the Lake, 4B Road from Tamarack to Main Street, and Tamarack Road from 4B to 3B.  These projects, totaling 10 miles, will cost $608,000.

Reclaimed roads that will be double or triple chip and seal or rejuvenated include 4B, 5B, and 4^th Road from Beach to the County Line, Beech Road from 6B to 7B, Cedar Road from 3B to 6B, Jarrah from 12B to 14^th, Pine Road from State Road 6 to 1^st Road, 3^rd Road from King to 2C and Lilac, Oak Road from U.S. 6 to the County Line, 7^th Road PLT to the County Line, Lilac Road from U.S. 6 to 1B, and 1B from Lilac to Linden.  These projects total 17.25 miles and have a price tag of $740,735. 

Peters estimated his road maintenance cost for this year’s season at $384,500. He also provided details on material costs: plant mix is $130 per ton, with an estimated 1,000 tons; road gravel is $11 per ton, with an estimated purchase of 4,000 tons; and limestone is $23.50 a ton, with a planned purchase of 5,000 tons.  Patch material made in-house is $70 a ton, and Peters expects to use 1,000 tons, while sand is $11.50 per ton, and the county will purchase 2,000 tons.