Oil activity impacting county roads
Oil activity impacting county roads
By STU MERRY
The speed limit on roads in oil activity country in far northwest McLean County is now 35 mph.
County commissioners set the speed after hearing from Highway Commissioner Ron Wagner at their Sept. 21 meeting that some highly traveled roads are becoming worn down due to the volume of traffic.
McLean County is not seeing near the impact oil-related traffic is having on neighboring counties such as Williams or Mountrail, but Wagner said activity is taking place, including near Indian Hills. The resort is about 30 miles west of Garrison. Wagner suggested a speed of 40 mph, but Commissioner Ron Krebsbach said it would be best to have the same posted speed as Mountrail County. Commissioners concurred.
Wagner stated that he would like to place “Minimum Maintenance” signage on less traveled roads for public education and to deal with any possible liability issues that may arise. For information purposes he presented a copy of Mountrail County’s oilrig permit. Mountrail charges $500 per permit. The issue was put on hold until after the Association of Counties meeting.
Garrison Mayor Dave Reinarts noted other road-related activity is scheduled as oil traffic creeps into western McLean County. He said that North Dakota Highway 1804 west of Garrison saw load restrictions put in place Monday.
“Also, the DOT has put plans in place to do an asphalt overlay in 2010 for 1804 due to the oil activity,” he said.
