A dust control program in Chatham-Kent is not only returning this year, it's starting earlier than anticipated.
Council approved a contractor on Monday evening and CK Director of Public Works Ryan Brown told councillors the dust suppressant work is set to begin in a couple of weeks, starting with the busiest gravel roads.
The program was to start in September.
Brown said the municipality should get to between 20 per cent and 40 per cent of the roads this year, and they will be reviewed individually.
"Obviously weather dependent and obviously material dependent. Some of the roads made out of limestone are quite set up and we will not be able to grade them to apply the dust suppressant. So, we will be reviewing it on a case by case basis and hopefully be able to start in a couple of weeks," said Brown.
Any dust control requests or complaints can be filed by calling 3-1-1.
The program will cost almost $264,000 this year.
Dust suppressants have been historically applied to Chatham-Kent rural roads as part of the municipality’s gravel road maintenance program.
Council eliminated the program during budget deliberations.
A decision about next year's dust control program still has to be made.
Blended liquid solutions made up of calcium, magnesium, and sodium chlorides have historically been used as dust suppressants throughout the municipality, according to officials.
The municipality noted the level of service before this year was to provide one application of dust suppressant for each gravel road within the municipality and a second application, if necessary, to areas fronting residential lots.
Roads receiving lifecycle gravel receive dust suppressant as the new gravel is being laid on the road surface, according to officials.