Spring hints at Public Works

In a rite of pending spring, Whitman County commissioners approved Monday a notice for a call for bids for an estimated $400,000 in liquid asphalt -- to be used for annual chip-sealing road repair during summer.

In another hint, much of the county Public Works and road departments will switch back to their four-day work week March 9. The four 10-hour days' schedule then runs until daylight savings switches again in November.

Daylight savings ends on March 8.

Another sign of possible spring is road weight limits may be lifted in the western part of Whitman County. Brandon Kruger, county road operations manager, told commissioners this week he will take a “hard look” Friday to see if restrictions may be lifted for heavy loads – defined as 19,560 pounds or above.

The restrictions were posted in mid-January due to frozen ground.