The Observation Deck

A friend who lives in Lakewood recently had his street repaved. The process involved removing the old asphalt, melting it and repaving the street with the remelt.

He was told by the paving crew that the process is called the "Election Year Special". The process is relatively inexpensive but only lasts three or four years. The short life of the repave was also mentioned during last nights mayoral debate.

It was also mentioned in last nights debate that water and sewer fund money are being used to resurface local streets. I've been told by others that various City funds are collected for one purpose and used for another. I guess this is a confirmation of that. Or is it?

If you tear up a street to replace water and sewer lines it seems reasonable and proper to have the water department repair the street.
Even I know the money has to come from somewhere.

Bill-- The repaving schedule and the critieria determing that schedule was done 2 years ago. Where were you?
Stan

You know Bill, that is one of the things that really hit me last night too. Both Councilmen appeared to agree that this half million dollar expenditure that had to be passed as a emergency measure would only last 3 years on streets.

It seems as bad as our streets are - we have had plenty of time to determine the best method of repairing them - why did this large expense have to be done with only 1 reading as an emergency measure.

It sounded like Mr. Demro was the only one that voted against it - because he didn't like it being ramrodded the way it was.

It seems a huge waste of money to do something quick and dirty instead of the correct way. JMHO

Bill and Lynn-- This was done in the manner agreed upon by council when they approved the Engineer's Pavement Reconstruction Program. It was a deliberated process which Mr. Demro participated in as pointed out by member Antonio.
And, as pointed out by Finance Director Pae. these money's had to be spent on road repair and reconstruction.
This was simple an attempt by member Demro to sidestep and delay the normal deliberations of council which is ironic in that he wanted instantaneous action on "parking problems" on Clifton due to the water main project.
That gripe was so ill founded that member Demro couldn't even get a second on his motion to suspend the rules.
Actually, as Yogi Bera said, " You could look it up." I refer you to my last council article in The Lakewood Observer.
Stan Austin

I was at that council meeting. What Stan left out of the narrative of that meeting was that Councilman Butler made an impassioned speech about the residents of Woodford and the mayor's promise that funds that were suddenly "found" would go back to committee to be evaluated and that Woodford, a street that has waited I believe 40 years, would be first in line. Butler was very clear and he took a lot of time to explain his position. Councilman Demro agreed with him. Of course, Stan only mentioned that Councilman Demro was not in favor, not the process that took place, an oversite on Stan's part I'm sure.

An emergency resolution to spend $500,000 on a bandaid should be questioned. Where was the rest of council and why did they vote the way they did? Only they can answer, but Councilman Demro was very clear. At least you know where he stands and why. No parsing, no hemming or hawing, just straight talk.

my street is being repaved at the moment. As bad of shape as it was in, I think that it would take another 5-10 years to reach such condition after this stuff is put on the streets.

While there may only be a recommended lifespan of 3 years, I remember hearing that the cost of this heat and repeat technology was far less than the traditional method. We may have been the first street that they tried this on and I had no complaints about the time the crew took to complete the job. From what I can tell the side streets go much faster than what we've seen on Detroit.
Are the details of the street resurfacing schedule readily available, maybe someone could be so kind as to post. While we're on the topic, I'd be interested to learn why there are a couple of streets paved with cement and most all of the others are asphalt. Is this a matter of the councilman advocating more strongly or not strongly enough for their ward, or something that is funded by private funds (seems peculiar that Belle is cement and is home to the Hospital), or is there a functional reason for it? What are the inner workings of this system?

Shawn:

I live on Belle, with the concrete, done under the Cain administration, which elected for a strategy that would cost more, last longer but quite possibly take longer and hit fewer streets due to capitalization requirements. There may also be a factor in location of the hospital/emergency vehicle route. I believe Mayor George opted for another strategy - quicker, more affordable, greater distribution of improvements.

In any construction project the following factors can be weighted differently:

Time; Money; Quality; Risk.

I don't know all the details. However, I think it is fair to say that each administration weighted the factors differently.

I believe this is an accurate and fair assessment of two different strategies that provides you with some perspective on why the construction materials are different.

Kenneth Warren

Shawn

I believe my little corner of the city was the first to use the new process. I too had many questions and will try to go through some of them.

My street started to "fail" within two years. The city engineer came out and explained that some of the cracks were from heat or cold, and that the street would expand and fill. One of the top problems with streets with a surface is water getting underneath, and the freezing breaking it up.

This summer, the street healed and looks pretty good now, but I wondered. Also I believe the depth is not as deep as once talked about. That said it is holding up pretty good.

Since my street, the company people I talked with along with city engineer have mentioned they are now using a 50 old 50 new mix, and the newer streets seem more durable, and should have a longer life span.

Again because I was interested I asked. With the numbers provided, the street veneer does end up to be cheaper over 30 years. An added plus from what I understand is that it will also be better, then cold patching and the bumpy roads they produce. Makes sense.

I do have to agree that Woodford, was a problem, Kevin Butler did bring it to the front, and that they were indeed upset about the scheduling. 40 years is a long time to wait.

Bill

You always make me smile. I don;t know anyone that knows as many people without names, that live in cities without names as you.

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I'm not an engineer. Don't pretend to be one either. I don't know which is better - asphalt vs. concrete. Every 'expert' is going to say something different.

I do recall hearing people talk a number of years ago, including a former city engineer, about the benefits of using concrete in regard to life expectancy and long term cost advantages. Maybe repaving technologies have improved to the point where those benefits are no longer realized. I don't know.

I do know one thing though. I enjoy driving down these newly paved streets and not having my eyeballs jarred out of my head!

Can't wait for Clifton to be done. That's next year, right?

I'll ask the workers today what the life span of this stuff is that they're putting on my street.

they woke me up again today so it's time I test their knowledge, har-har!