Benton County Road Crew takes pride in helping people travel safely

On sunny spring days, Benton County Road Crew members have little time to smell the flowers. Maintaining roads, bridges and signs throughout the County results in a running to-do list of repairs and upgrade. One of these projects had them working alongside Portland & Western Railroad on April 6 to repair the railroad grade crossing on Northwest Ryals Avenue near Adair Village, improving safety and reliability for everyone who travels through the area.

The site is a critical connection point where vehicles and trains meet. The work there reflects the kind of behind-the-scenes effort that keeps Benton County’s transportation system functioning day in and day out.

“This is the kind of work people don’t always see, but it makes a real difference for safety and long-term maintenance,” said Bradley Haley, Benton County road crew foreman. “Our crews take a lot of pride in making sure these crossings are in good condition for the community.”

Benton County’s Road Crew is responsible for maintaining hundreds of miles of roads across the county, along with bridges, signs and other infrastructure. Their work ranges from paving and repairs to storm response and emergency support during severe weather events.

Projects like the Ryals crossing repair highlight the coordination required between local agencies and private partners to maintain critical infrastructure. 

“Our crew cares a lot about the work they do every day to keep Benton County’s roads safe and reliable,” said Joe Moore, engineering and survey technician with Benton County Public Works. “Projects like this show how important it is to work closely with partners like Portland & Western Railroad to get the job done right with lasting improvements for the community.” 

View photos of the road crew at work during the project: https://www.flickr.com/photos/196115871@N03/albums/72177720332942151