Jones Co. rural road embargo a possibility

Board of Supervisors
By: 
Kim Brooks
Express Editor

     It seems an embargo on certain roads in Jones County may be inevitable.

     County Engineer Derek Snead spoke to the board about further action to embargo county gravel roads during the March 12 board meeting.

     Snead said Iowa Code spells out ways in which the county boards of supervisors could take action to limit road use if needed: Passing a resolution each time a particular road is in need of closing/load limits; and a blanket embargo that allows the county engineer to make the decisions as needed.

     “We’ll assess the weight limits on the roads,” Snead explained. “It’s the same process as placing load limits on bridges.”

     Snead asked the board to consider a blanket embargo so the Engineer’s Office could monitor the roads from here on out.

     The embargo would include a limit of 10 tons, which would prohibit school buses and many agricultural equipment/machines. Snead said the exception would be “implements of husbandry,” those pieces of equipment essential for the primary use of farming operations, would be granted access.

     This is all in an effort to maintain the life of the gravel roads as things start to thaw from the uncharacteristic winter that impacted the state.

     “As temperatures rebound, we anticipate a challenging transition to spring,” Snead said in his press release. “Spring thaw, along with spring rains, can cause the roads to be soft and easily damaged by heavy loads and traffic.”

     Once the board of supervisors allows for the embargo, Secondary Roads will erect signs spelling out the load limits. Snead said once the signs are in place, the embargo stands.

     Some embargos have been known to extend 90 days. “I don’t anticipate that happening,” warned Snead. “Weather plays the main role in determining how severely our roads will be affected.”

     The majority of the roads in question would be low-volume, low-populated roadways.

     Supervisor Ned Rohwedder said he was against the idea of an embargo because it hinders feeding operations throughout the county.

     “It creates too much of a hardship for livestock production,” said Rohwedder. “I can see limiting grain, but not livestock operations. The livestock industry is too important here in Jones County.”

     Rohwedder said even if one were to fill a truck half way, it would still be over 10 tons.

     “That’s what does the damage,” said Snead of the heavy trucks driving on soft roadways. “It’s a give and take. It’s tough.

     “We want them on the roads that can fully support their weight,” added Snead. “They could get stuck and tear up the road 10 times worse.”

     Snead said damage to gravel roads this time of year could cost well into the thousands.

     “That’s why we have this as a tool,” he explained. “It saves unnecessary expenses.”

     “Hopefully with the best case scenario we won't need to use it,” commented Supervisor Joe Oswald.

     Snead’s press release explained that weight restrictions would only be in place when conditions cause certain roads to be incapable of bearing the customary traffic without undue damages.

     “Please consider limiting heavy load travel to hard surface or the more stable gravel roads,” Snead asked of the public. This would include school buses and waste haulers.

     In terms of adding extra rock to the gravel roads, Snead said they typically don’t apply rock this early into spring, as additional snowfall could end in fresh gravel getting graded off into the ditches.

     The board encouraged Snead’s office to give the public plenty of notice, as well as the businesses/farms affected.

     “The more notice the better,” said Supervisor Wayne Manternach. “People will adjust with notice out there.”

 

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