Harvill outlines Transportation Plan at LaFayette Rotary Club meeting

BY LAFAYETTE SUN STAFF

LAFAYETTE — The LaFayette Rotary Club welcomed Chambers County Engineer Josh Harvill during its July 28 meeting. Harvill reviewed accomplishments from the county’s 2016-2025 Transportation Plan, which included roughly $34 million in road and bridge work. Approximately $22 million came from county funds, and $12 million from grants. Projects included resurfacing, reconstruction, bridge replacement and rehabilitation, pavement preservation, striping, stormwater mitigation and other safety improvements.

Harvill also outlined goals for the 2027-2031 Transportation Plan, which focuses on improving roadway safety, supporting economic development and strengthening communities. Goals include reducing fatalities and serious injuries by 5% annually by 2035, improving the condition of the county’s 435 miles of paved roads and developing a gravel road improvement plan. Much of the work will focus on the northwestern part of Chambers County, with the county aiming to improve 10 to 12 miles of roadway each year.

Harvill emphasized the rising cost of construction and the savings that can come from preservation work. He said county crews can complete some projects for about $60,000 per mile, compared with roughly $180,000 per mile for contracted work. He also shared examples showing that timely pavement and bridge preservation can save hundreds of thousands of dollars compared with full reconstruction or replacement.