By AAH Jack Quirk
If you’ve driven several county roads around Hennessey recently and wondered why they seem rougher and dustier than expected, you’re not alone. Kingfisher County District 2 Commissioner Mike Sparks says the county is well aware of the issue and is already working on a permanent solution.
Last fall, Kingfisher County contracted to chip and seal several roads in the Hennessey area. As required by state law, the county awarded the project to the lowest qualified bidder. One contractor completed chip seal work on rural roads in other parts of the county.
According to Sparks, those rural roads have performed well. However, several of the roads completed by the second contractor in the Hennessey area have experienced unexpected problems.
“We don’t know exactly what went wrong with the chip seal,” Sparks said. “Something has gone wrong with the product that was used, and we’re working to determine the cause.”
Until a permanent repair can be made, county road crews are placing screenings and small gravel on the affected roads to help protect the road base and keep the roads passable.
“I want the people to know that we are aware of the problem and are working quickly to fix it,” Sparks said. “We’re working overtime to find the right way to repair them.”
That “right way,” according to Sparks, will be an asphalt overlay on the county’s busiest roads rather than simply applying another chip seal.
The roads expected to receive asphalt overlays include Conoco Road, Exxon Road, South Mitchell Road, and others, all of which carry heavier traffic and serve a larger number of homes.
Sparks said. “Those roads definitely will be overlaid with asphalt.”
The county is currently working out final details with a large asphalt contractor, which is expected to perform the work once a crew becomes available.
Sparks said construction could begin as soon as one to two weeks, depending on scheduling.
While the county continues working through the repair process, Sparks asks residents for patience.
“There is a process we have to go through,” he said. “We’re doing everything we can to make the roads passable until we can get them repaired the right way.”
For now, county crews will continue maintaining the affected roads while preparing for what officials expect will be a long-term asphalt solution.
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