Adams Township Awards More Than $1 Million in 2026 Road Projects; Officials Explain Selection Process

At Monday night’s meeting, Adams Township supervisors unanimously approved more than $1 million in paving and seal coating projects for 2026 while also publicly outlining the process used to determine which roads are selected each year.

Shields Asphalt was awarded the township’s paving contract with the lowest bid of $845,351.60, while Russell Standard received approval for the township’s summer seal coating program with the lowest bid of $204,008.69.

Combined, the paving and seal coating projects total approximately $1.049 million.

Township officials said Adams Township expects to receive $501,945.48 through Pennsylvania’s Liquid Fuels program, leaving the township responsible for roughly $547,054.52 in additional paving costs this year.

Before opening the bids, Vice Chairman Ronald J. Shemela explained the process used by the township to determine paving priorities.

According to Shemela, Public Works Director John Hock first develops a recommended list of roads based on roadway conditions. Supervisors then accompany Hock to review the roads before the township works with PennDOT’s Municipal Services Unit through Pennsylvania’s Liquid Fuels program.

Following the meeting, PennDOT spokeswoman Tina Gibbs clarified that Adams Township selects the roads for the paving program, while PennDOT’s Municipal Services staff assists municipalities by preparing estimates, developing bid specifications, advising on materials and project applications, and guiding communities through the bidding and contract process.

PennDOT officials said the Municipal Services Unit routinely assists municipalities throughout Butler County with Liquid Fuels-funded paving and maintenance projects.

Shemela emphasized that the process is “very methodical” and “not arbitrary,” noting that state funding agencies also have an interest in ensuring the projects are completed properly.

Chairman Russ Ford noted that road conditions can change significantly following harsh winters, sometimes requiring additional paving work beyond what was initially anticipated.

“We probably could have even done more this year,” Ford said during the meeting.

The township opened bids from four contractors for the paving portion of the project, with Shields Asphalt submitting the lowest proposal at $845,351.60. Other bids included Youngblood Paving at $936,251.32, Wright Asphalt and Concrete at $1,015,511.66, and Weist Asphalt Products and Paving at $1,171,222.39.

For the seal coating portion of the project, Russell Standard submitted the low bid at $204,008.69, followed by Midland Asphalt at $210,978.05.

The paving program includes several major roadway resurfacing projects, including:

• Hammond Road
• Three Degree Road from Glade Run Road to West Road
• Downieville Road
• Myoma Road from Route 228 to Crider Road
• Chesapeake Drive in the Treesdale neighborhood

Additional neighborhood roads are scheduled for seal coating and preventative maintenance work, including:

• Golden Grove Drive
• Marburger Road
• Longbow Lane
• Indian Meadow Drive
• Lakeland Drive and surrounding neighborhood streets

During public comments, several residents asked questions regarding long-term road maintenance and pothole repairs within neighborhoods including Adams Ridge. Township officials said residents are encouraged to report roadway concerns directly to the township so issues can be evaluated by the public works department.

Township engineer representatives also noted that paving projects typically include an 18-month maintenance bond period to address contractor-related issues if problems develop after construction is completed.

Construction is expected to take place during the 2026 summer paving season.