A Lot Rides On Asphalt Plant Project

A lot rides on the success of Highlands County's asphalt plant, expected to go on line in May
We're not just talking of the money involved or the cynical "I told you so" that asphalt contractors are hoping to throw at the county should the project fail.

Our roads depend on the asphalt for their resurfacing needs.

Should the optimism about the plant hold good, the county would not just be breaking new ground with the state's first government-owned asphalt plant.

It would be in a position to keep the 1,200 miles of county roads maintained the way they should.
This year, the county will resurface 25 miles of roadways, eight more than last year.

But to keep the road system in top shape, at least 30 miles, and preferably 40 miles, should be resurfaced each year, according to a county official.

That's where Ken Wheeler's optimism will come handy.

The county's director of solid waste has estimated that the plant would supply us with asphalt at $69 per ton vis-a-vis the county's current contract price of $82 per ton.

The $13 in savings per ton would help pave more roads and more often.

Resurfacing more roads means that fewer have to be reconstructed, an expensive proposal by any token. Road reconstruction is believed to be at least three to four times more expensive than resurfacing.

For Highlands County to grow in the right way, proper roads are crucial. The asphalt plant is a piece of that larger picture.

The proposal has not been without its naysayers. Some have argued that it will not be cost effective and there's no reason for the county to dabble in private industry.

Undoubtedly, there will be challenges as the project proceeds forward but we hope the project succeeds beyond anyone's expectations and inspires other entities to do the same.

Our roads depend on it.