The Road Commission of Kalamazoo County approved new vehicles, snowplow repair parts, and two future road safety grants at its August 25 meeting.
Fleet replacements approved under budget
The board approved two vehicle purchases from Seelye Ford, the qualified local bidder in both cases. A police interceptor-style vehicle, actually a Ford F-150 Police Responder, used daily by the Road Commission’s weighmaster and permit agents, will replace a 2015 Ford Explorer with roughly 160,000 miles, at a cost of $61,346, about $3,600 under the amount budgeted. The board also approved $134,260 for two ¾-ton pickup trucks used for administrative and road maintenance work, more than $15,000 under budget. Managing Director Travis Bartholomew noted a competing bid from another area dealership did not include an extended warranty, which affected the pricing comparison.
Snowplow cutting edges purchased for winter season
The board approved $227,412 for underbody scraper cutting edges used on snowplows and motor graders, awarded to St. Regis Culvert as the sole bidder. The purchase includes both tungsten carbide cutting edges, which last longer but cost more, and flame-hardened edges, a cheaper option used mainly on gravel roads. Bartholomew told the board that tungsten carbide pricing has risen due to tariffs, since the material is primarily mined in China.
Two projects awarded 2028 safety grant funding
The Road Commission received safety grant funding for two projects targeted for construction in 2028: a roundabout at Sprinkle Road and V Avenue, and a paving project on East Michigan Avenue from Sprinkle Road west to the Kalamazoo city limits that will include rumble strips. Design work on both projects will continue in the coming months.
The board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for September 8 at 3:00 pm.
