Rawlins Public Works Discuss Streets with City Council

JUNE 11, 2025 |

Photo – Edinburgh Road in Rawlins – Bigfoot99 file photo 

This week, the Rawlins Public Works Department acknowledged the city’s streets are in disrepair. Additional staff or costly private contractors will be needed to fix the issue.

In 2019, Carbon County voters approved the 6th Penny Special Purpose Tax. Every municipality submitted a list of projects they would like to use the money to complete. In Rawlins, voters approved a portion of the money to be used for repairs to Edinburgh Road on the east side of the city. However, inflation has outpaced the rate at which the city has collected the 6th Penny funds, putting the price of the Edinburgh project out of reach.

Originally estimated between $5 and $6 million, City Manager Tom Sarvey reported last June the cost of repairing Edinburgh Road had ballooned to over $8 million. Soon after, the governing body voted to allocate $1.2 million in city funding to supplement the 6th Penny Tax revenue, allowing the project to proceed.

During the June 3rd Rawlins City Council meeting, Councilwoman Tonya Lewman asked Public Works Director Cody Dill for an update on the Edinburgh Road project. Dill said he is nearly ready to solicit contractor bids. Once a construction company is selected, work can begin.

Dill said he believes the work on the Edinburgh Road project can continue into winter, giving the city more time to find a contractor. The Public Works Director said he expects the job to be finished by next summer.

Councilwoman Tonya Lewman voiced her satisfaction with the progress being made on the Edinburgh project.

Next, Councilman Terry Patterson said many city residents have expressed concerns about the condition of the streets, especially the numerous unfilled potholes. Councilman Patterson asked Dill if he was preparing to address the problem areas.

Public Works Director Dill said his department is too understaffed to fully meet the demand for road repairs.

Councilwoman Lewman suggested creating a list of roads in need of repair, prioritizing Interstate 80 ramps and school bus routes. Public Works Director Dill said he already has a list, but his small crew struggles to keep pace with the deteriorating road conditions.

Additionally, Dill said he lacks enough workers to continuously run the city’s asphalt plant, which takes upwards of 30 minutes to restart every time more road patches are needed.

Vice Mayor Darril Garners asked if outside contractors could supplement the city’s Streets Department. The Public Works Director responded, saying he is willing to explore that option.  However, Dill said the money may be better spent recruiting additional Streets employees.

Vice Mayor Garner instructed Dill to compare the cost of using outside contractors for street repairs versus hiring more Streets workers. The Public Works Director said he will compile the data and present the information at a future City Council meeting.