BY SARAH STEPHENS
ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS
The James B. Sorenson 2021 Award for Excellence in Pavement Preservation is given annually. This year the Elmore County Commission was the recipient, and officials were present at the Monday Commission meeting to bestow the award.
The award signifies an agency’s commitment to preserve their infrastructure investment while also reducing cost and providing quality service. It recognizes an agency that is best among their peers and is the highest level of national recognition an agency can receive from the pavement preservation industry.
Nomination letter – Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions wishes to nominate Elmore County, Alabama, for the 2021 James B. Sorenson
Excellence in Preservation Award. Under the direction of current chief operations officer Richie Beyer, the county has been able to raise the number of roads in good condition (rating 80 and above) throughout their network from 45% in 2004 to 75% in 2021. This remarkable accomplishment is the result of the county’s strategic efforts to move beyond their previous method of continual paving and invest in preservation, maintenance and rehabilitation treatments designed to maximize the life of pavements.
Officials and the Commission members gave special thanks to Elmore County’s Chief Operating Officer Richie Beyer.
Beyer talked about vision of previous and current county commissions that led to Elmore County being recognized with this national award.
“When you go from a place that 55 percent of your roads are in a failing condition to a place where over 75 percent of your roads now are in good to excellent condition, that speaks to the leadership of the county commission to be able to stick with a program. In a lot of cases, you get a call where they say, ‘Why are you fixing that road that is in good shape when mine is in really bad shape?’
“They don’t really understand the concept of being able to spend a little bit of money to keep the roads in good shape. (Rather) than address the bad ones on a systematic manner to where you can overcome that curve of just approaching the ‘worst the first’ time frame. So, I think that is the easiest way to identify what is going on with the program.”
Beyer thanked the Commission for allowing staff to go to state and national events where they can continue to improve their knowledge.
Beyer said the previous commissioners began in the early 2000s with different methods to better the roadways. The projects have come a long way, and the award presentation shows the program is working.
Chairman Stubbs said, “I certainly appreciate Jim and Tim being here today. I am sure there are counties all over the country that are taking advantage of the preservation tools, and materials. Hopefully our experiences in Elmore County with success with these preservation programs will trickle to other places that may be looking at alternative programs to the seemingly never-ending infrastructure problems not only here in Elmore County but the United States,” Stubbs said adding he is grateful to all staff that have played a role in this.
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