By Dewey Terrrill
JC Post
The recent ice, snow and rain have badly damaged rural gravel roads. Geary County Public Works said just over 100 tons of road rock were hauled on Thursday and Friday combined, to make repairs. The cost was approximately $29,000. Trumpp noted that he expects the cost of repairs to eventually exhaust the Pubic Works budget of $325,ooo allotted for that purpose this year.
The early road work has focused on Rucker Road, which is the most traveled gravel route. But other roads have been receiving attention, such as Munson, Crider and Harrel Roads.
The County Public Works Department issued a notice to the public on this situation. "Due to recent snow fall amounts, freezing and thawing temperatures and even more recent rains, Geary County gravel road conditions have deteriorated drastically in some portions of the county. Geary County Public Works crews have been diligently working to improve the gravel road surfaces by means of hauling gravel and blading with motor graders when road conditions allow. We ask that all Geary County residents who reside on or must travel county gravel roads remain patient with our staff while we make the necessary repairs to get the network of gravel roads in Geary County back in good standing order."
Trumpp estimated it would take months to recover. This same type of weather damage to rural gravel roads has also affected other area counties.