(Bannock County, July 5, 2022)
It’s a big task to maintain 466 miles of road. But the Bannock County Road and Bridge team, a Bannock County Public Works division, is up to the challenge.
The hot, long summer days are packed with a ritual of upkeep that helps extend the lifespan of vital infrastructure. The roads Bannock County are responsible for lie outside of city limits, connecting our most rural residents to the rest of the community. Of the more than 460 miles the Road and Bridge team is responsible for, only 300 miles are paved.
Much needs to be done to maintain these rural roads: chip sealing, applying road paint, shouldering, mowing, sweeping, tree trimming, and more.
On Monday, June 20, crews began chip sealing roads all around Bannock County. Chip sealing is the process of applying a pavement surface treatment that combines one or more layers of asphalt with one or more layers of fine aggregate and is typically used on rural roads with lower traffic volume.
Crews began chip sealing roads in the southern part of the County and are working their way up to the northern part of the county. After chip sealing is complete, the crews will apply fog oil over the newly sealed roads, which will seal narrow cracks, restore flexibility to the pavement surface, and help preserve the underlying pavement structure.During this time of work, the Bannock County Road & Bridge Department asks that the public beware of temporary road delays while crews are out working. The public is also encouraged to use alternate routes if possible. Paying attention to warning signs, lights, and flagger instructions can help road crews complete work in a safe and timely manner.
To see the summer maintenance schedule, visit bannockcounty.us/road-bridge or follow Bannock County on Facebook. The schedule for all Road & Bridge projects is subject to change and could be rescheduled at any time. Schedules may also change due to inclement weather.
For questions or concerns, please call the Road and Bridge office at 208-233-9591 between Monday-Thursday from 6:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or email roads@bannockcounty.us.
