OAKLAND — Two roads in eastern Garrett County have extensive damage because of trucks hauling coal, but the county claims it doesn’t have the $9 million necessary to upgrade them.
General Roads Superintendent Jay Moyer approached county commissioners at Tuesday’s public meeting asking for assistance to fix portions of Westernport and Lower New Germany roads.
“It’s (Westernport Road) deteriorating to the point where it’s getting unsafe. It’s the worst time of year for this to happen. We are trying to stay ahead,” said Moyer, noting his department has been patching the road. “It’s only a matter of time before the whole road is destroyed.”
The roads are experiencing a lot of webbed cracks, according to Moyer.
The cost to get both roads up to standards would be about $9 million, according to Moyer. The Roads Department doesn’t have that kind of money to fix the roads nor will the coal companies agree to foot the bill, he said.
The commissioners discussed the possibility of putting a weight restriction on the road.
“If we put weight limit restrictions on the road, the trucks are going to travel another road,” said Moyer. He said restrictions could put the coal companies, as well as those hauling timber, out of business.
The commissioners have limited authority without zoning in place, said Garrett County Commission Chairman James Raley. However, they agreed to speak with legal counsel about the possibility of a road bond and permits for weight restrictions.
Culverts under the roads also have collapsed under the weight of the trucks, according to Mark Wells, general roads foreman.
The cost of asphalt has gone up and the Roads Department hasn’t received as much money from the state because highway user funds experienced a $5 million cut statewide, Moyer said. The Roads Department has been trying to reserve money by cutting back on paving and on the way it responds to winter events, according to Moyer.
“We aren’t going to have a snowplow out there every time there is a snowflake,” said Moyer, who urged motorists to use caution when driving in winter weather conditions and to allow extra time when traveling.
The Roads Department has seen a significant savings for this fiscal year as opposed to fiscal 2011, due to scheduling. This fiscal year, $1.4 million was budgeted for snow removal, including materials, overtime and abrasives, which make up most of the budget. So far, the county has spent $641,390 on snow removal compared to $1.09 million at the same time last year.
If money can not be found to repair the roads, they could be milled down and turned into gravel as a last resort, according to Moyer.
Moyer said the Roads Department needs to purchase new radio equipment in order to meet the new Federal Communications Commission narrow banding mandate, which requires all public safety and industrial/business licensees to convert radio systems for efficiency by Jan. 1, 2013. The cost for the new radios is around $300,000, according to Moyer.
“There could be a shortage on these radios because everyone is buying them. So we need to get moving on this as quick as we can and buy them before this occurs,” said Moyer.
Also during the meeting:
• The commission was provided with a broadband update and Edward Kelley, airport manager, provided an update on the airport. In conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the airport, there will be a Wings and Wheels Fly-In Celebration on Aug. 11 at 10 a.m.
• During the legislative update, the commissioners said five of their requests have been drafted by legislators and hearings have been scheduled.
The next commission meeting will be held on Feb. 21 at noon.
Contact Elaine Blaisdell at eblaisdell@times-news.com.
Latest news
The $9M bump in the road
Garrett County struggles to find money for department
- Latest news
-
-
Maryland puts new Allegany High on drawing board
Allegany County Public School officials got the go-ahead from the state this week to start designing a new Allegany High School — a project many here have dreamed about for decades.
-
Man sentenced in Bel Air pharmacy robbery
A 21-year-old man charged in a 2011 drug store robbery faces the possibility of a long time in prison despite a sentence of one year and one day to serve in a Maryland prison.
-
Free fishing waters sought by state service
The Maryland Fisheries Service will soon begin a county-by-county look, seeking streams, rivers, ponds or lakes where anybody can fish without having a license.
-
Same-sex marriage supporters plan city rally
Supporters of Maryland’s same-sex marriage law plan a July rally in downtown Cumberland.
-
Garrett school board won’t rescind decision to close schools
Members of the Garrett County Board of Education hope to use some of the $1 million-plus it will receive in additional state funding to return eight personnel to the schools, according to interim Superintendent of Schools Sue Waggoner.
-
Keyser officials approve huge water, sewer rate increases
The Keyser City Council approved hikes Wednesday to water and sewer rates that have been in place since 1999. The first of several increases, to be phased in over a period of several years, takes effect in 45 days.
-
Police charge family members in fight
CUMBERLAND — Cumberland Police charged two family members after investigating a fight that broke out Wednesday night in the 500 block of Woodside Avenue.
-
DelFest offers variety of fun ... oh yeah, and music
CUMBERLAND — Artist play shops, late-night shows, camping, trolley rides, bluegrass band competition, a kid zone, painting, music instruction, puppet shows, petting zoo, art show, tie-dye making, yoga, hula-hooping classes, food vendors, craft vendors and of course lots of live music by more than 30 different recording artists will all be at the Allegany County Fairgrounds this Memorial Day Weekend for the fifth annual DelFest.
-
DelFest workshops popular with musicians near and far
CUMBERLAND — Four fun-filled, bluegrass stompin’ days along the Potomac River are just around the corner.
For the fifth year, the annual DelFest Bluegrass Memorial Day Weekend has arrived at the Allegany County Fairgrounds. The official musical lineup does not commence playing until this Thursday, but for the real diehards the DelFest Academy took off Monday evening. -
No tax hike in city spending plan
City residents won’t pay higher taxes next year, and trash removal costs won’t increase, according to the fiscal 2013 budget approved on a first reading Tuesday night.
- More Latest news Headlines
-
Maryland puts new Allegany High on drawing board
