Oil prices impact area road repairs

TRAVERSE CITY -- Four million dollars for road repairs doesn't go far as it used to.

The skyrocketing cost of oil has the Grand Traverse County Road Commission racing to bid out about 30 miles of road resurfacing projects, even before it has the money to pay for it.

"The cost of oil affects every aspect of the work we do," road commission Manager Mary Gillis said. "Liquid asphalt prices are going out of sight right now and I can't even get anyone to give me an estimate."

The paving will be done with a proposed $4 million bond to be jointly funded by Grand Traverse County and the road commission.

The county board recently approved its $2 million commitment to be repaid over five years. But the road commission can only afford $1.5 million, and asked the county board to let it pay back its share over seven years. The county board will consider the request when it meets Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Acme Township Hall.

The county board also agreed to fund 50 percent of the cost of road repairs in Traverse City, up to about $150,000. It set aside another $50,000 for the villages of Fife Lake and Kingsley.

Gillis identified sections of six roads that will be repaired for around $3 million, beginning with South Airport Road between Park Drive and Cass Road.

"It's definitely the highest traveled road in the county other than the state trunk lines," Gillis said. "It will be expensive but repairing it provides a higher safety factor than repairs to a less-travelled road."

The county board directed the road commission to repair roads to improve public safety, so the focus is on the most traveled, crumbling roads.

That includes all of Silver Lake and East Silver Lake roads, along with North Long Lake Road from Barnes Road to Gilbert Park. Other priorities include Barlow Street between Boon Street and South Airport Road, Hammond Road between Four Mile and High Lake roads, Cass Road near Hartman Road and two miles along the north end of West Long Lake Road.

Other roads that might see attention if funding is available include sections of Elk Lake, Three Mile and Hammond roads, Hobbs Highway and Peninsula Drive. Rounding out the list are East and South Long Lake roads, and Townline Road between Paradise and Fife Lake townships.

Gillis will have a final list ready to bid out in about two weeks. But she said it won't be until bids come in that officials can determine the extent of the work.

Photos

Traffic makes its way across deteriorating pavement on North Long Lake Road Friday in Long Lake Township. Record-Eagle