By Mindy Ragan Wood, Staff Writer – A road construction method that could save thousands of dollars is being considered by officials in Kingfisher and Canadian counties.
Piedmont City Councilman Albert Gleichman said a method widely used in Kansas may offer cash strapped cities like Piedmont an alternative to more expensive road construction.
“It’s a lot cheaper,” Gleichman said during a council meeting Monday night. “If it’s comparable, then I’m really excited about it. It could mean we could get something (roads) done and if it’s not going to cost too much, that’s the best thing I can do is save money for the city.”
The method uses a mixture of oil, cement, and groundup existing pavement to a depth of two to three inches. Not all roads would qualify for the method due to the depth of pavement necessary to use in the process. Kingfisher County commissioners are having a section of road tested on Waterloo Road.
Canadian County Commissioner Marc Hader said he and fellow commissioners are interested in using the “engineer tested mix,” estimating the money it could save taxpayers.
“It would probably save tens of thousands of dollars versus the traditional oil and chip road construction and over $100,000 versus an asphalt paved road. We have about four miles of road between Okarche and Piedmont that we’re responsible for, I believe, from Radio Road on the west to Gregory on the east. We’re open to it. There are a couple of counties in the northwest part of the state who are happy with the durability of it.”
If Kingfisher County moves forward and purchases the materials, Hader said it would be cost effective for Canadian County to join their colleagues and purchase the materials together to gain a better price.
“The more volume the contractor can get, the lower the price per unit can be,” he said.
Increased oil and gas drilling traffic has damaged county roads as trucks avoid Interstate 40 and state highways to escape traffic and weigh stations. In addition, financial pressure on counties has risen with state budget cuts to road and bridge funds.
