The Jasper County Highway Department’s chip spreader (originally purchased in 1995) has for the last few years had several issues that have required extensive repairs. The Jasper County Board recently approved the purchase of a new chip spreader. On March 10, 2023 one bid was received in the amount of $361,326 from E.D. Etnyre & Co.
A chip spreader’s primary use is to distribute chipping material over asphalt layers uniformly for road maintenance. Chip spreaders help extend a road’s lifecycle by filling in the gaps and giving it more traction and binding to withstand heavy traffic loads and harsh weather conditions. Chipping spreaders help do a job that otherwise costs a fortune with asphalt or concrete overlay. The County uses its chip spreader for all county highways as well as used in conjunction with all 11 Jasper County townships and small municipalities (the City of Newton and Villages in the County).
