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Concrete resurfaces from road project
(by Joseph Koziol Jr. - September 02, 2010)
Concrete resurfaces from road project
By JOSEPH KOZIOL JR.
A new problem has literally "surfaced" as Munson Township officials prepare to put the finishing touches on a road project.
Legend Creek Drive resident James Iaffaldano approached Township Trustees last week with a concern regarding work done on his street this summer.
The township has been working on a joint project with Chester Township to remove concrete slabs from Legend Creek Drive and replace them with an asphalt surface. The road traverses both townships.
Mr. Iaffaldano told trustees last week that, while the asphalt road is an improvement, concrete slabs that were pulverized and used as a sub-base, have resurfaced along the edges of the road. He provided photographs of the situation, showing what appear to be jagged teeth of concrete jutting up along the berms of the road.
He expressed concern that the jutting bits of concrete could cause problems for mail delivery and other services that may have to use the side of the road.
Township Road Superintendent James Teichman said the problem arose because of the soil conditions of the area. He said the soils consist of fine sand that is saturated.
He said workers on the project noted the wet conditions almost from the start of the project. "I told them, 'That's cattails, that ain't corn growing there,'" he said, explaining the wet soils they had to work with.
Those conditions, Mr. Teichman said, caused the pulverized concrete to essentially ooze out the sides rather than compact under the new roadway.
Township officials agreed to meet with Mr. Iaffaldano and discuss possible remedies.
Residents of Legend Creek had been complaining of the condition of their concrete road, particularly on the Chester Township side.
Initially, the township had said attempting to convert the roadway to asphalt was too expensive. Instead, the township dedicated a portion of its yearly budget to replacing the concrete slabs.
But, this spring, Munson officials were approached by Chester officials, who asked that a possible joint project be tried there.
A joint project made the costs more manageable. In June, Munson Trustees approved a $306,090 contract for replacing the concrete with asphalt.
About 30 residents of the roadway applauded trustees when the road project was given formal approval.
The cost of the project was split approximately 70 percent-30 percent, with Munson Township paying the lion's share of the cost.
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