County highway superintendent reaching out to enhance community understanding of road projects
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
It seems a fair number of Whitley County residents have questions about what is happening with the 650 miles of roadway administered by Michael Barton and the Whitley County Highway Department.
One particular question: why are some roads being graded, but not necessarily paved?
"The phone calls that I get, the people have all been understanding," said Barton, Whitley County's highway superintendent as he spoke with the county commissioners last week, updating them on the current status of roadways in Whitley County.
"It all has to do with funding," Barton tells those who want to know about the roads. "Then, they understand more."
Barton said the old way of doing things -- basically applying patch on top of patch on top of patch -- is not the best way to improve roads in a quality way. It fixes them in a temporarily, but without a good base underneath, Barton feels it isn't worth the time or expense. The right way to rebuild county roads costs money and takes time. So, in the process, residents are urged to be patient.
Barton said that it is more economical for the county to tackle road issues in steps. For example, a road may be milled this fall and then stoned and paved in the spring. It's a matter of dollars, sense and sound road building.
It isn't always a slow process if all the pieces are in place. Barton said that 10 of the 40 miles milled this year were sealed this year. Some of those roads were actually double and triple sealed.
"When they get those kind of answers and understand why we're building the roads correctly, then they're much better off," Barton added.
Many residents might be surprised to know that the many dry days this summer and fall weren't really helpful to the road building process.
"It's just moving dust around," he said, adding that when the roads are too dry, the grading blades do not work correctly either.
Barton said he's currently working on plans to share additional information with the community to provide greater explanation about why the roads are milled and not finished until the following year, as well as other road-related issues.
"I don't think you can over communicate," said Commissioner Don Amber.
"I think the people who've talked to me were more understanding when the knew what was going on," added Commissioner Mike Schrader. "It's also good public relations."
On Friday, December 3, at 8:30 a.m., Barton will be the featured speaker at the Whitley County Business & Networking meeting where he will discuss local road projects, goals and answer community questions. The session will be held at the Whitley County Government Center building on Van Buren Street in downtown Columbia City. Anyone is welcome to attend.
It seems a fair number of Whitley County residents have questions about what is happening with the 650 miles of roadway administered by Michael Barton and the Whitley County Highway Department.
One particular question: why are some roads being graded, but not necessarily paved?
"The phone calls that I get, the people have all been understanding," said Barton, Whitley County's highway superintendent as he spoke with the county commissioners last week, updating them on the current status of roadways in Whitley County.
"It all has to do with funding," Barton tells those who want to know about the roads. "Then, they understand more."
Barton said the old way of doing things -- basically applying patch on top of patch on top of patch -- is not the best way to improve roads in a quality way. It fixes them in a temporarily, but without a good base underneath, Barton feels it isn't worth the time or expense. The right way to rebuild county roads costs money and takes time. So, in the process, residents are urged to be patient.
Barton said that it is more economical for the county to tackle road issues in steps. For example, a road may be milled this fall and then stoned and paved in the spring. It's a matter of dollars, sense and sound road building.
It isn't always a slow process if all the pieces are in place. Barton said that 10 of the 40 miles milled this year were sealed this year. Some of those roads were actually double and triple sealed.
"When they get those kind of answers and understand why we're building the roads correctly, then they're much better off," Barton added.
Many residents might be surprised to know that the many dry days this summer and fall weren't really helpful to the road building process.
"It's just moving dust around," he said, adding that when the roads are too dry, the grading blades do not work correctly either.
Barton said he's currently working on plans to share additional information with the community to provide greater explanation about why the roads are milled and not finished until the following year, as well as other road-related issues.
"I don't think you can over communicate," said Commissioner Don Amber.
"I think the people who've talked to me were more understanding when the knew what was going on," added Commissioner Mike Schrader. "It's also good public relations."
On Friday, December 3, at 8:30 a.m., Barton will be the featured speaker at the Whitley County Business & Networking meeting where he will discuss local road projects, goals and answer community questions. The session will be held at the Whitley County Government Center building on Van Buren Street in downtown Columbia City. Anyone is welcome to attend.