Jason Peters, County Highway Superintendent, received unanimous support from the County Council for the purchase of a Dura Patcher during a special meeting on Tuesday.
The Highway Superintendent said the durability of the patches using the forced injection process creates a longer-lasting, smooth patch. He said the process saves time and material because the material stays in the pothole and employees don’t have to redo patches as they do with the current process.
Peters said about 60% of the complaints received at the highway department are because the current patch material doesn’t hold, and citizens feel it’s a waste of time and money, especially when they must repatch.
The Dura Patch machine will be used for road surfaces that are newer and in locations where they plan to chip-seal because the new process doesn’t create humps in the surface. Peters said they won’t use the Dura Patch on county roads that have failed.
Peters told the County Council, “Now is the time, with less than 25% of the county roads in the failed status, we can use this effective patching method to keep our ‘good’ roads good.”
Trying to secure a positive outcome the highway superintendent said, “Due to additional funding and support that has been invested in the roads over the years and the position the county is currently in, this is an opportunity to pursue the work that is needed to maintain what we have and benefit the county in the future for what has been invested in the past.”
Council members had a few questions and made some positive comments.
Councilman Jim Masterson asked what the plan was for the old machine that has been modified, and Peters said he’d like to sell it and would like to look at purchasing a second Dura Patcher in the future.
This new machine can operate with two employees while the old machine takes three.
Council President Tim Harman told members the Cum Cap fund has $1,032,000 with an expected $500,000 more to come in yet this year. He said they have budgeted $400,000 out of that hasn’t been expended yet, but at the end of the year, he estimated a line item of $1.1 million.
The council unanimously voted to support the purchase of the Dura Patcher.
Peters said the price is $97,500 because this is the machine we saw them demo, so they gave the county an additional $2,000 price cut.
Pair of traffic stops net arrests
Eagles look to soar to sectional crown
Riverton Parke looks to get over sectional hump
FAA calls for airline traffic reduction to begin Friday
Central Indiana Land Trust names nature preserve to honor Efroymson family
Select Wings Etc. locations offering free entrée on Veterans Day
Tips for Carbon Monoxide Awareness Month
FSSA statement on SNAP benefits, one week delay
Gov. Braun orders flags to half-staff in honor of former Vice President Dick Cheney
Free admission to DNR properties for veterans, active-duty military, Nov. 11
Indiana Grown Holiday Box highlights local businesses for the third year
Christmas Nights of Lights returns to the Indiana State Fairgrounds
Indiana State Police wants everyone to stay safe this Halloween
Nominations being accepted for Indiana Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) of the Year
BMV warns customers of new scam text messages
National FFA Convention & Expo to call Indy home through 2040
Tortoises taken from Indianapolis Zoo found safe in Madison County park
INDOT has plans to expand electric vehicle charging
PH FFA competed in area and state Livestock Skillathon
Wednesday is Buckle Up Phone Down Day in Indiana
