Repairs to 17 1/2 Road Could Save Taxpayers Money, Says Mesa County

Mesa County officials believe recent road repairs could lead to long-term savings for taxpayers. By sealing cracks, crews aim to extend the lifespan of local roads and prevent costly damage.

Mesa County Crews Tackle Road Maintenance

During the week of February 7, Mesa County road crews completed sealing cracks along 17 1/2 Road, a move designed to prolong its usability.

“Here at Mesa County, we have over 700 center lane miles of asphalt roads,” said Matt Nichols, Road Supervisor for Mesa County Road & Bridge. “Each of them is aging, and we need to pay attention to every single one of them.”

The project is part of the District A crack sealing initiative, which has been underway since January 2024. Roads in Fruita, Glad Park, Loma, Mack, Redlands, and Appleton have already undergone similar repairs. The selection process for sealing is based on Pavement Condition Index (PCI) scores.

Water: The Biggest Threat to Roads

“Ultimately, the biggest enemy to our roads is water,” Nichols said.

To combat this, crews apply sealant to prevent moisture from seeping in, which helps avoid potholes and other structural issues.

“By using the crack seal, we can go in, seal the cracks, keep the water out, keep the subgrade better. Ultimately, preserve that road for a longer period of time,” Nichols added.

Cost Savings for Taxpayers

Mesa County officials argue that these preventive measures will reduce expenses in the long run.

“Any way that we can keep water out of our roadway, we’re winning. By using this rubberized asphalt crack seal, we can go in and keep the surface water from getting into our subgrade. That’s going to save money by not allowing the cracks to grow,” said Nichols. “It’s going to keep them from becoming potholes, and it’s going to allow us to wait until we can get in to put further workforce on it and seal up the road completely.”