Commission authorizes highway department to lease Calvert gravel pit for 2025 crushing

The Morton County Commission on June 24 authorized the highway department to execute a gravel pit lease for the Calvert Pit for the 2025 season, with the lease term ending Dec. 31, 2025.

Why it matters: The county relies on locally leased gravel pits for road maintenance and construction. Highway staff told the commission the Calvert Pit has enough material for many years and serves as a fallback if other pits or crushers are unavailable.

Highway staff said the county typically plans to crush about 80,000 cubic yards per year and expects to crush about 40,000 cubic yards at the Calvert Pit in 2025, with the remainder to come from an extended lease at another pit. Staff told commissioners actual crushed quantity will depend on bid prices; if prices are favorable the county could increase crushed volume at Calvert to 45,000–50,000 cubic yards.

Commissioners questioned timing; staff responded that crushing typically occurs after Labor Day and that bids are usually issued in July. The commission voted to authorize the lease; staff said the project is budgeted for 2025 and the contract will be executed by the highway department.

Next steps: Highway staff will proceed with the lease execution and bidding for crushers; actual crushed amounts will be chosen to stay within the highway budget depending on bid results.