Bourbon resident voices frustration over deteriorating 13th Trail at County Commissioners meeting

Wednesday, November 11, 2026 at 2:00 AM

By Kathy Bottorff

A Bourbon resident brought his frustrations over the deteriorating condition of his road directly to the Marshall County Commissioners earlier this month, citing damage from heavy truck traffic, poor drainage, and what he described as a lack of pride in the work being done by the County Highway Department.

Brandon Haines, who lives in the 1500 block of 13th Trail in Bourbon, told the commissioners he came home last Monday to find road patches in a spot that clearly needed attention, but said the patchwork appeared to have been hastily applied. Haines said 13th Trail is heavily used by milk tankers on a daily basis, and that the entire west end of the road is completely torn up.

He also accused the highway department of causing further damage last winter by coming too far over on the road and pushing gravel and the road surface into neighboring yards. Haines pointed to drainage issues on the west end that are compounding the problem.

Haines questioned the prioritization of road projects, asking why Donnybrook Subdivision is slated for improvement while his road has hardly any chip and seal remaining. He asked the commissioners for help in addressing the issues.

County Highway Superintendent Jason Peters acknowledged that Haines' concerns are valid, telling the commissioners the road is in very bad shape. Peters said the highway department had planned to grind 13th Trail this year and start over because it is beyond patch and repair.

"It's probably one of the worst roads I've seen in the county," Peters said. "I was down that road during the PASER (Pavement Surface Evaluation and Rating) Ratings and was quite surprised to be honest with you to see it. He has every right to be a little upset right now."

Peters outlined his plan to put limestone down on the road yet this year, grind it up, and let it sit until next spring, at which point the department will resurface it.