Emigrant Road - Update from Dan Gilson

On 4 July 2024 Emigrant Road repair

Matt & Jonathan Gurish Dr and Steven Godfrey Dan Gilson

Matt ordered a pallet of cold patch and Dan rented a vibratory tamper. 

Matt and Dan started at 7:00 to beat the heat.  We were joined by Jonathan and the Godfrey's at 8:00. We filled pot holes and did some edge restoration. We started working from the upper turn around and worked down to Les Bates home where we ran out of materials.

Status

The road has 2 major problems.  There are many areas where spider cracks (see picture below) have formed allowing water to get under the road base.  This will accelerate deterioration and the increase the need for repaving sooner.  Matt suggested getting some slurry seal.  This will prolong the life and stop the water from entering.   Eventually the road will have to be repaved.  The slurry seal may extend the road's lifetime for some time.   But the cracks need to be addressed quickly. 

The second problem is from Fallen Leaf Road to first corner.  The holes and dips are caused by lots of water getting under the road in the spring time. Until the water problem is solved OR the road base design is changed to handle the water this will continue to be a problem.  In past years,  we have already placed more than 5 cubic yards of crushed stone and 20-30 bags of patch and the problems are not getting any better.  The past work done is really a band aid.

Adding drainage to east side of the road is one solution.  This is on forest service land and will have to be permitted with several agencies.  They will probably require engineered plans.  All of which will require getting a contractor and the costs associated with. Putting in drainage does not in itself fix the road's current condition.

Remove and replace the problem road base.  A few years ago,  Matt checked into this and got a bid from contractor.  It was over $100,000.00.  Provided that it is proper designed that would solve the problem.  But it expensive and would probably cost more now because of inflation.

A third option would be to remove the current asphalt and its base and replace with crushed stone with no asphalt.  This would allow water to pass through and facilitate easier repair.  This was design of the road before it was paved in the late 60's or early 70's. Crushed stone is cheaper than asphalt (typically about 1/2 the price)  and does not take special tools to handle. So, the cost of installation is much less.  Typically it can be spread dumped from a truck which means that the cost of installation is the price of delivery. It is also currently used in the vast majority of rural roads and drive ways in the mid west. When I priced this out a few years ago it was in the $12000-15000 range for the materials and equipment rental.  I will have to reprice this as it a few years old.  Hopefully,  it gives enough of a comparison to get people thinking.

There are concerns about moving back to a crushed stone surface.  The biggest problem that I remember is increased dust.  It does affords good traction and was smoother than the current road.

Right now we have about $9000.00 in the road fund.

Where do we go from here?  How do we fund road repair long term? 

To facilitate the discussion,  I have started a google groups.  To get added to the group please email me at dangilsoniii@gmail.com.  Please include you name and cabin address and I will send out an invite.

Thanks

...Dan