With the start of fog sealing operations this week, the city street department is wrapping up its street maintenance program for the season.
“It’s been a really busy construction season,” said Jeff Runyan, Construction and Operations Manager. “We’re estimating that the street department resurfaced about 140 blocks this summer.”
All of those blocks were chip sealed and are now in the process of being fog sealed. Both chip and fog sealing are maintenance techniques that preserve streets by mitigating weather-related damage and improving skid resistance.
“With the fogging operations, we’re putting a final layer on the streets to lock in that newly laid chip surface and lock out moisture,” said Runyan.
The fog sealing operation should cause very little traffic disruptions and is expected to be complete by the end of next week. Runyan says that the warm temperatures help expedite the process. During fog sealing a liquid is sprayed on the street. Once the liquid has dried, the street is open for business.
Although the city’s major street maintenance program is coming to a close for the season, people should still expect plenty of orange construction cones around town.
“The team will do pothole work and patch sections of street as needed,” said Runyan.
Major street construction also will remain in play for several more weeks. Portions of Highland Avenue and Airport Road are both being completely rebuilt this year. Morris, Inc. was awarded the contract for both of those projects. They are scheduled for completion this fall.