The Marion County Roads Department has announced that spring rock hauling has begun.

According to Marion County Engineer Tyler Christian, the roads department hauls about 115,000 tons of maintenance rock annually. Christian says that during the spring about 55,000 tons are hauled by two tandem axle trucks and four belly dump semis. With crews out hauling maintenance rock, Christian also cautions residents to stay alert when traveling on gravel roads.

“They will have flashing amber strobes, both front and rear facing amber strobes, and if they are activated then they are either in the process of or preparing to dump their load. And it’s dynamic dumping, so we are on the move while we are spreading our rock. It’s not dumped in a pile then spread, so we spread it with the trucks and semis.”

Hear more from Tyler Christian on an upcoming In Touch with South Central Iowa.