Weight limit signs on county roads could impact funding

County engineer Willie Bridges discussed Sandhill Road (Road 5) again with the commissioners at their September 16 meeting. 

At previous meetings, there was discussion about putting weight limit signs on the road. Bridges said he spoke to WYDOT District Engineer Pete Halstead, who recommended putting no weight limit on the road.

“That is strictly based on the fact that once that you do the road it is no longer eligible for federal funding,” said Bridges. “It restricts what money you might be able to spend on it.” 

Bridges said on this particular road, there may never be the opportunity for federal funding anyway except perhaps the High-Risk Rural Road Program. The county has used that program in the past for Road 5. 

Commission chair Deb Craft asked about the damage that is being done to the road right now due to the heavy trucks using it. Bridges said public roads should be open to all people for all weights and legal loads. The only time it would have restrictions is if the load was not a legal one — such as over width or height.

“Those are the only times you can restrict it and not have problems with eligibility for federal funding,” explained Bridges. 

North end Road and Bridge Supervisor Eric Mann said he wasn’t seeing many issues with weight on the road. There is a good compaction and base now.

“When we first did it, we did have some issues with it, but it is set up hard enough now it is just typical use, what we are having problems with now. Those trucks they aren’t doing much to it, I don’t think. That’s my opinion,“ Mann said.

Bridges said he believes the trucks do have some impact on the road because they are bigger trucks.

“But I’m positive those loads are legal,” he said, “because they go through the port of entry. I have a hard time restricting the public to use a public road if they are being legal. I would hate to see a weight limit on there but if it is the commissions desire then that is what we will do.” 

Craft asked, if there was damage on the road, what would it take to fix it and if federal funding was available. Bridges said the damage was scheduled to be fixed that morning. Commissioner Dave Neves noted this project would be like the Orchard Bench Road project. The county received federal funds to fix it. He then asked for clarification whether the weight limit signs would make Road 5 ineligible for those types of funds. Bridges confirmed they would.

Commissioner Bruce Jolley said he was OK with not putting up the signs. Bridges said that was his recommendation. 

Also discussed was what was decided about the fences on the BLM land adjacent to Road 5. The commissioners had decided that they would stand by the county’s Road Address Management Policy (RAMP), which states that the county does not fix fences.

At the commission’s August 19 meeting, John and Sylvia Gams asked about the county fixing the fences on their BLM lease area in the Sandhills. Gams made the argument that the county had put up the fence decades before, and therefore, the county should be responsible for maintaining them. At that meeting the commissioners told the Gams they would investigate and get back with them. On September 9, the commissioners discussed and decided to stand by the RAMP. A letter was sent notifying the Gams of that decision.   

Bridges noted that the emergency grant application for the replacement of the Red Gluch Bridge has been submitted to the State Lands Investment Board office. That meeting is October 2.   

Another topic discussed was the old highway between Manderson and Worland. When the new highway was put in, a portion of the old highway (now County Road 34) was given to the county in 1970. The county has not maintained the road. It has an asphalt surface that is full of potholes now. Bridges said it is only used by adjoining landowners to get access to their property.  The county discussed the possibility of abandoning the road in the future. 

County Road & Bridge Supervisors Shannan Hovey and Mann each gave their department report. Hovey said they are working on the used plow trucks the county purchased from WYDOT.  Mann inquired when the county meeting with the Sidon Irrigation District would be.  

OTHER BUSINESS

• An executive session was held with UW Extension staffer Gretchen Gasvoda to discuss personnel.

• County Prevention Coordinator Travis Sylvester gave an update.

• Airport Manager Paul Thur gave an update including that the boneyard online auction was to start on September 19. 

• Jeremy Pouska, maintenance supervisor, presented a quote for some of the sidewalks around the courthouse.