Alaska Department of Transportation crews from Homer put down calcium chloride, a dust control agent, and graded Diamond Ridge Road. They also put down gravel on potholes and other low areas.

Chris Keppler, maintenance chief for the DOT central region, said the money for dust control came about when Carl Haigh, Kenai Peninsula District superintendent, and other superintendents looked at money leftover in DOT accounts at the end of the fiscal year, such as funds not used for snow removal because of lesser snow. They then put together priority lists and distributed money to projects.

"We try to take care of the worst first," Keppler said. "Diamond Ridge calcium chloride was at the top of the list."

Keppler said about $20,000 in leftover money was distributed to the Kenai Peninsula for fixing Diamond Ridge, Skyline Drive and other problem roads. DOT ordered calcium chloride July 3.

"We're real glad we found the money and are able to do it," Keppler said. "We want to do what's right."

Kevin Jones, Homer DOT highway maintenance foreman, said to do dust control right, 14,000 pounds of chemicals per mile should go down. DOT received 84,000 pounds of calcium chloride, enough for the five miles of Diamond Ridge Road and about a mile more.

Jones said his crews are doing dust control for East Skyline Drive and Ohlson Mountain Road with leftover calcium chloride. They also put gravel down on parts of Diamond Ridge Road where Typar, or filter fabric, was exposed.

"It's a short term fix," he said.

Jones said that the dust control should last through the end of summer and into fall, depending on weather. If the usual fall rain comes, "that should take care of it," he said.

Rep. Paul Seaton, R-Homer, said Wednesday that because residents complained he was able to present a strong case to DOT for dust control on the ridge.

"I'm pleased that constituents called and talked to us," he said. "It made a difference. It's very important that constituents let us know what's happening."

Seaton said his office received letters, phone calls and even videos showing the problem. Ever since break-up he has been getting lots of comments. He said the heavy dust became a health and safety issue as well.

Kenai Peninsula Borough Assemblywoman Milli Martin said she helped out with a letter writing campaign and encouraged her constituents to write the state.

Doug Letch, chief of staff for Sen. Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, said DOT officials visited Kodiak in June. Stevens talked to them about Kodiak roads as well as Diamond Ridge Road. He also worked with Seaton's office and wrote letters to DOT emphasizing the dust control problem.

"Overall, it's another example of when you work together you can accomplish some things," Letch said.

Keppler said in past years money was appropriated for dust control chemicals.

"We knew it was needed," he said. "It was deleted because we couldn't afford it."

Michael Armstrong can be reached at michaela@homernews.com.