County to pave less

July 20, 2000

County to pave less

By SCOTT BUTKI / Staff Writer

Washington County will pave about 20 percent fewer miles than last year, partially because of higher gas prices, Public Works Director Gary Rohrer said Thursday.

Last year the county paved almost 30 miles throughout the county as part of the annual concrete overlay program, Rohrer said.

This year the county will pave about 22 to 24 miles, he said.

The city of Hagerstown might also have to curtail its street overlay program but it is not yet known which streets would be affected, Hagerstown Assistant City Engineer Rodney Tissue said.

The reductions are being made because liquid asphalt, which is a petroleum byproduct, is about 13 percent more expensive this year than last year, Rohrer said. This is due to higher gas prices, he said.

Another factor is that, overall, prices for contractors are higher than usual because of a high demand for their services, he said.

On Tuesday the County Commissioners awarded the annual contract to C. William Hetzer.

The company's bid of $33.55 per ton was the lowest of three bids.

That compares to about $25.11 per ton last year, Rohrer said.

The contract is for about $794,000, he said.

The county will try to save some money by using some recycled asphalt pavement, which generally is about $1.50 per ton cheaper, he said. That asphalt includes 10 percent recycled pavement, he said.

That type of asphalt was used successfully on the extension of Massey Boulevard and the relocated Cole Road near Valley Mall, he said.

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