Pottawatomie County opens applications for dust control

Pottawatomie County Public Works officials will soon begin dust mitigation efforts along some of the more well-traveled unpaved county roads.

The 2021 Dust Control Program will consist of both a county and residential spray program. The county program will treat approximately 10 miles of heavily traveled roads and it alternates yearly, according to Interim Public Works Administrator Dustin Newman.

“The county spray for the 10 miles is mainly for safety. We get on some heavily traveled roads and try to treat the intersections and spots people might have trouble with,” he said.

The residential program is an option where residents can submit an application to pay the cost of treatment product at a specific location and distance or in addition to the county minimum of 500 feet. Engineering Aide Janell Ralph says applications are open now through April 1 and can be found on the county’s website.

“We schedule to start our residential sprays in May but the county spray for traffic and heavily traveled roads will start in April,” she said.

The cost for the residential program is $415 for the 500 linear feet minimum and 83 cents for each additional linear foot.

Treatment of residential roads will take place between May 1 and July 31.

Important information to remember when submitting a Dust Control application:

• The Dust Control product (Magnesium Chloride) is a “dust suppressant” only.

• Existing road materials, traffic volume and weather determine how effective the product suppresses dust.

• Pottawatomie County will maintain the roadway, as it deems necessary, regardless of application of dust control. This includes periodic grading.

The following county roads are targeted for the county spray program in 2021.