Commission approves supplemental agreement for Marlow and Havens road paving after discussion on logging impacts

Engineering staff asked the commission to approve supplemental agreement No. 1 with HCL Contracting for the Marlow Road and Havens Road Great Dream Basin paving project to change materials at an estimated additional cost of $6,115.

A commissioner said she was concerned the work needed to be reinforced because a logging operation would place heavy loads on the road. County engineering staff responded that the contractor, laboratory and the engineer had reviewed the situation and the change was intended to protect the exposed subgrade; staff said long-term problems were not expected and described the work as a relatively short intervention tied to an active construction project.

On the record, a commissioner asked whether the property owner or logging company knew the expected duration; staff estimated the logging would take "2 to 4 weeks" and 75 to 150 loads. The commissioner moved the supplemental agreement, the Chair seconded and the commission proceeded (no roll-call vote tally recorded in the transcript excerpt).

Why it matters: Paving materials and subgrade protection affect road longevity, public safety and maintenance costs. When heavy truck traffic (timber loads) is anticipated, targeted design or materials changes can prevent premature failures.

What’s next: Staff will execute the change order and proceed with the resurfacing work; commissioners asked for assurances the contractor’s lab and engineer had designed the reinforcement steps.