Good Weather Keeps Market Street Pavers on Schedule

Tresco Paving Company puts down the bottom layer of asphalt on Market Street in Kittanning last night. The final top coat is not scheduled for installation until Monday and Tuesday of next week.

by David Croyle

Work continued last night on repaving Market Street in downtown Kittanning.

On Monday and Tuesday night, sub-contracted laborers with Tresco Paving in Delmont, PA removed the old asphalt surface in a procedure known as “milling”.

Senate Engineering Partner Bill Braun described the procedure for milling.

“Milling is when they have a large machine that grinds up the existing asphalt.”

A sub-layer of material was then installed that “leveled” the road surface to make way for the base layer by Tresco employees. Braun said the base layer also known as “binder” course is then laid.

“The binder course is a bituminous pavement that they put down first. It has some larger aggregate (rocks) in it. It is stronger than the wearing course that they put on the top that everybody sees. It’s not quite as strong, but it is smoother and rides nicer.”

The paving work is being done to the latest standards for durability.

Tresco workers pointed out a special material that was added to the binder course that strengthened the under-layer, creating a buffer between the base asphalt layer and the original brick that forms the base of the street. This means the as geophysical changes and movement occur underneath the road surface, the surface will not be affected.

Braun said other enhancements have been made since the last time Market Street was paved. The mixture used in creating the road surface has changed significantly.

“They have tried to tailor bituminous designs and mixture for each different location based on climate. It seems to be a little more porous, but it is suppose to hold up a little bit longer and require less maintenance. Right now, they are even using warm mix asphalt, which the mixture doesn’t have to be as warm or as hot upon delivery and placement. That is suppose to save on energy costs.”

Unidentified Tresco workers said the tentative schedule calls for them to return Monday and Tuesday and lay the final surface pavement, depending on weather conditions over the weekend. Currently thunderstorms are predicted for Monday and Tuesday night that could change the schedule.

Braun said he feels there shouldn’t be any problems finishing the paving project before the end of next week. Until then, Tresco paints lines on the road each night and Market Street is open to traffic throughout the day. Tresco is working a 6PM until 6AM schedule Monday through Thursday nights that makes it possible for motorists to use the street during the daylight hours and have access to businesses along Market and the side streets.

Tresco Paving Company workers prepare the intersection of Market and North Jefferson Street in Kittanning where the new pavement will meet the existing pavement. The project is to be completed next week.

 

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