Chip seal project underway

Simon Construction started this year's chip seal project with Pine Haven's Meadows Drive, completing the pour a few days ago. The east end of the roadway was still closed as of Tuesday due to the addition of the concrete valley pan and apron in front of the community center.

Simon has moved the remainder of the chip seal to Lake Court.

The work on Meadows has been found satisfactory, according to HDR Engineering's Mike Oakley and Mayor Karla Brandenburg.

One concern mentioned by HDR Engineering's Mike Oakley as a potential problem is that, in some areas, the newly laid surface is being torn apart by vehicles' wheels being turned at a stop.

This action is "the enemy of chipseal", according to Oakley. Sudden stops, hard starts and hard turns damage the surface when it is hot as the oil is soft.

However, if residents find spots short on chips and heavy on oil as the surface cures, they may mention it to the clerks at town hall and Public Works Director Sean Glasser may be able to add pure sand to the area, ensuring more "grit" for tires.

This project was started last Monday and is anticipated to be complete before the end of the month.