The Highway Department will now charge $1.65 per linear foot for a minimum 200-foot application of the asphalt emulsion.  The new fee is up from $1 per linear foot last year and reflects an increase in the price of the dust control material.  It will be sprayed in two treatments and applications will span the full width of the road.

The Highway Department is scheduled to begin putting down the dust control material May 4, depending upon weather and road conditions.  Residents can sign up for the applications in person April 1 through May 1 at these locations:

• Highway Department Main Office, 1 W. Superior Street, weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• North Maintenance Facility, 2234 Carroll Road, weekdays from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• South Maintenance Facility, 8317 Tillman Road, weekdays from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Motorists should drive with caution on roads that have recently received an application of the black dust control material. When freshly applied, the material can create a slick surface for vehicles traveling at a high rate of speed. It can take from one to five days for the material to dry completely, depending upon the weather and the condition of the road prior to application.

If motorists notice that the black material has gotten onto a vehicle, they should check their vehicle owner's manual or consult a dealer representative for instructions on how to remove it.