A limited questionnaire was used to gather data about maintenance activities and costs and maintenance equipment for cities, counties, and townships in Minnesota and North Dakota. Information was gathered on winter road maintenance, and maintenance of gravel and paved roads and material costs. The results of the questionnaire were compared with a 1981 North Dakota survey and limited Montana and South Dakota estimated costs. Comparisons were also made between Minnesota and North Dakota. Because of the limited sample size of all survey sources, the results are not statistically valid, but the average values are considered representative for the rural agencies in the upper midwest. Because of the typical response of unknown, maintenance data can only be considered to be an estimate. Typical results indicating maintenance needs is that respondents believed that a seal coat job would have an estimated life of 5 years but the actual resealing period was more than 8 years, with some agencies reporting up to 15 years. Similarly for gravel roads, the roads were typically regraveled at 6 years, but the estimated period needed was 4 years. Maintenance costs for a low-volume rural gravel road for three states was about $225 per year. Salt usage was prevalent for all agencies, as was the minimal usage of contracting out any winter road maintenance activities.
Abstract