The Natchitoches Parish Council discussed a proposal that could change how parish roads are maintained during its regular meeting Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, as Public Works Director Joey Creamer outlined the possibility of producing road surfacing materials in-house. The proposal follows a recent test project on Collins Road, where parish crews applied oil sand as an alternative to traditional road maintenance methods.
Creamer reported that the material appeared to be performing well, particularly in helping prevent water from penetrating the road surface. He explained that keeping water out of the roadbed is an important factor in reducing deterioration and extending the life of parish roads. The Collins Road project also provided parish employees with firsthand experience applying the material and evaluating the equipment and techniques necessary for future projects.
Creamer said the parish currently relies heavily on repeated patching because the Public Works Department does not have the equipment needed to perform more extensive road improvements. Rather than continuing that approach, he proposed establishing an in-house operation capable of manufacturing and applying oil sand to parish roads. The equipment needed would include a pug mill to mix the material, a conveyor or stacker, oil storage equipment and hauling equipment.
During the discussion, Creamer presented information on equipment costs, including a new pug mill priced at approximately $346,000 with delivery included. Additional equipment would be necessary to establish the complete operation. He explained that producing the material locally could offer significant savings compared with contracting traditional asphalt work, potentially allowing the parish to improve more miles of roadway with available funding.
Council members questioned the initial investment, equipment maintenance, staffing needs, insurance expenses and the availability of suitable materials. Creamer said the department could use existing personnel to operate the equipment and that suitable sand could be obtained from a source outside Natchitoches Parish.
The discussion also addressed how the material would be applied and compacted, the appropriate width of improved road surfaces and the equipment necessary to achieve consistent results. Council members expressed interest in the Collins Road test, with some reporting that they had personally inspected the work and were encouraged by its appearance and performance. Creamer emphasized that the department is still learning about the material and its application, but said the initial results suggest it could provide a practical alternative for improving parish roads. He also discussed examples of oil sand being used in other parishes, including locations where the material has been subjected to heavy truck traffic.
Under a more comprehensive road improvement approach, Creamer suggested the parish could potentially improve approximately 10 miles of roadway annually, depending on available resources, equipment and funding. Such an operation would represent a shift from repeatedly patching deteriorating roads toward resurfacing longer sections in an effort to provide more durable improvements.
The council also discussed the expected lifespan of oil sand compared with traditional asphalt and how factors such as traffic volume, road conditions and proper application could affect performance.
Although the proposal would require a substantial initial investment, the discussion focused on whether long-term savings and the ability to complete more roadwork with parish employees could justify the expense. Parish officials discussed potential funding options, including the possibility of addressing equipment purchases through a future budget amendment.
No final purchase or funding commitment was approved during the meeting.
For now, the Collins Road project serves as an initial test of a road maintenance approach that parish officials are considering as they look for ways to address Natchitoches Parish’s ongoing road infrastructure needs.