Highway superintendent reports detour plan, new dump trucks and overtime funding shortfall

Dusty Hunt, Switzerland County highway superintendent, told commissioners on Feb. 17 that crews have spent recent weeks plowing snow and that two new dump trucks were picked up Feb. 12.

Hunt said a Letter of Understanding has been drafted for planned detours tied to upcoming work and scheduled to run April 16–July 31, 2026, routing traffic via Bennington Pike, Fairview, Bradford and Kennett roads. He also raised questions about FEMA procedural slips (whether the work will be design-build or require engineering), right-of-way for Bridge 16 and noted the department's overtime budget has been exhausted.

The superintendent’s report was informational; no formal votes were taken on road work at the meeting. Commissioners asked follow-up questions and noted the right-of-way and funding matters will require further staff review.