Rising Asphalt Costs Pinch Lower Makefield Twp. Budget

LOWER MAKEFIELD TOWNSHIP, PA —Like many municipalities in Lower Bucks County and throughout the region undergoing annual road paving projects, rising asphalt costs are pinching municipal budgets.

Lower Makefield Township found that out recently when supervisors approved the township's 2023 road improvement program even though the lowest bidder's cost was $379,000 more than the $785,000 the township had budgeted.

At a recent meeting, Township Manager David Kratzer recommended that the township proceeded with the project out of necessity for paving and resurfacing roads that could use a fresh coat of asphalt.

Kratzer proposed that the township dip into proceeds from a 2016 bond issue to close the spending gap.

Township supervisors unanimously approved awarding a $1.16 million contract to Earle Asphalt Co. to repave and resurface parts of about 10 township roads totaling 3.13 miles.

While supervisors wondered whether asphalt prices might drop in the future as inflation falls or steadies, township engineer Andy Pockl told township officials to be prepared for the new norm.

"This jump might be here to stay," the engineer said. "It might level off and normalize a bit. But to go back to old prices, we'd be looking through rose-colored glasses."

The engineer reported that when the township last went out to bid, asphalt costs were $84 a ton. And this time around, asphalt costs are $122.50 a ton.

Kratzer said going forward —assuming that asphalt costs remain unchanged —that the township will have to supplement the project, adding that liquid fuels won't cover the costs as in years before.

Some of the roads scheduled for work under the project include East and West Wellington Drive, North Bradford Road, Wyngate Drive, Central Drive, Heather Circle, Ramsey Road, Roelof’s Road, Fountain Drive, and Maplevale Drive.