9.h Dust Control alternative to 185th St and Oakgreen
Staff Report
Date of Meeting:
To: Mayor, City Council
From: Adam Hawkinson , Director of Public Works
Re: CaCl – dust control experiment
Background:
Several gravel roads remain in the City limits which are treated each year with a Calcium
Chloride (CaCl) treatment to control the dust. In some areas the roads lose the treatment
effects faster than others. Currently, the application is in a liquid form applied to the surface.
Some complaints are that it sticks to vehicles which is mostly during the application process,
that it only lasts a few weeks, and it doesn’t stay on the roads. Three years ago, the public
works department implemented a double application system to address the effective dust
control issue. This has been a cost savings to the city and helped with extended dust control.
The other issues had not been addressed.
Issue:
Public Works staff continues to receive complaints about the dusty gravel road conditions and
conditions during the application process.
Proposal Details:
Staff has researched alternative dust control measures and techniques. MNDOT has done some
studies and test work with counties and other cities with integrating solid CaCl flakes into the
top layer of gravel roads with a scarifying blade, regrading smooth, and then compacting. Staff
would like to try approximately 3600 Ft. of treatment area using this technique on Oak Green
and a portion of 185th. Staff would use their own resources for application of the solid Cacl
form, grading, and rolling. The sander would be used for the application of the solids, the
grader would be used for grading, and the skid steer roller would be used for rolling. The
scarifying blades will be borrowed from Franconia.
Fiscal Impact:
To address the area noted on the map attached, it will take about 12 ton of CaCl dry product which
will cost about $2,400. Also needed would be two trucks and two staff to pick up the product, and
lastly - time, fuel, and staff to perform the application task. Public Works would save about
$2,850.00 from the liquid applications if both applications were not needed on the test sections.
Total extra cost is estimated at $1,200.00 which would consist of the fuel, labor and equipment
operation.
Options:
1.) Approve the purchase of the CaCl, the test area, and the application of the product to
the roads.
2.) Continue with the liquid applications a planned
Recommendation:
Option #1 is recommended by staff