County officials ask for help and patience on county road maintenance

scottw@standard-democrat.com

CHARLESTON -- County roads and center pivot irrigation end guns go together like oil and water.

Mississippi County Commissioner Mitch Pullen during Thursday's regular County Commission meeting joined a long line of county officials over the years who have asked area farmers to consider county roads when setting up irrigation equipment.

"Help us out on these pivot guns," Pullen said. "Everywhere that pivot goes is a mess."

Water is often called the "universal solvent" as it dissolves almost anything given enough time -- even rock. Accordingly, proper drainage for roads is an important factor in keeping them well maintained.

Erosion damage from water sprayed out of the end of an irrigation unit on gravel roads adds to the maintenance load already there from weather and regular use.

But gravel and dirt roads aren't the only ones damaged by a water, Commissioner Darrell Jones added. "It cuts blacktop roads in two, too," Jones said.

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