County Closes Roads to Heavy Traffic Due to Spring Runoff
 | Author:
Nancy Marks
Nancy Marks: MT43 News Secretary and News Editor |
County Closes Roads to Heavy Traffic Due to Spring Runoff
Effective Monday, April 10, Broadwater County Commissioners signed a resolution to close all county roads to heavy traffic.
Public Works Supervisor T.J. Graveley presented the resolution at a special meeting Monday which will prohibit 8-ton single axle trucks weighing over 16,000 pounds and 16-ton tandem trucks weighing over 32,000 pounds from traveling on county roads until May 31st or when the water runoff is deemed over by Graveley.
Graveley explained the heavy trucks, especially concrete delivery trucks, cause huge damage to county roads. “Heavy trucks travel over spring thaw bumps in the roads which turn to mud. To repair those spots we have to go down two or three feet in the roadbed to rebuild the damaged spot,” he explained.
The public works department had put between $40,000 and $50,000 into rebuilding the road in the Rolling Glen subdivision in past years. “It’s not all roads in the county, only where there is significant water underneath the roadbed,” he said.
Graveley will put the legal restriction, under MCA7-14-2127, on the county website, in both Broadwater County papers and in the Three Forks and Belgrade newspapers. His research shows both Lewis and Clark and Gallatin Counties place load restrictions on roads during spring runoff. Montana Department of Transportation Motor Carrier Services will handle enforcement of the restriction. “I’m asking trucks to watch for the white pickups with the blue stripes. Those folks will be watching for illegal loads. For citizens who have questions, please do not call the Sheriff’s Office. Please call my office,” he concluded. The Public Works Office may be reached at (406) 266-9207 or (406) 980-2055.
Asked by citizen Jeannie Steele how concrete trucks could still deliver their loads, Graveley said they must split their loads into two deliveries to meet the weight requirements.
In other business, the commissioners approved the recycling business Eastridge Enterprises of Butte to purchase the county’s scrap metal pile. Eastridge Enterprises bid $185 per ton and Pacific Hide and Steel of Helena bid $141 per ton. Tri-County Disposal opted out of the bid offer.
Graveley estimated the metal scrap pile at about 250 tons. “The sale of the scrap metal should bring between $50,000 and $60,000,” he said.
Article Images
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PhotoCredit: Nancy Marks
Image 1 Caption: Bumps and dips on Ferrat Lane near Radersburg big enough to tear the bottom out of a small car.
Image 2 Caption: Caution posts on Muddy Lane where the road department put a temporary gravel fill in a large mud hole.
Image 3 Caption: County Road Department temporarily closes Ferrat Lane due to water seepage into the roadbed.
