The Finish Line!

The project is complete and we couldn’t be happier with the result! All that remains is punch list items, and those are usually inside the sewer structures, so as far as the eye can see, we have crossed the finish line. The landscaping contractor still may have a couple of waterings remaining, but this rain and cool weather has been very good for the new sod. Just a reminder to residents: you should still wait a little while longer before mowing the new sod. It helps the sod take root if the grass isn’t too short.

To those residents that had brick or stone driveways, you are free to re-install those now. As stated in letters and notices that were sent before the project began, any brick/stone work is the responsibility of the resident.

Residents: Please keep your eyes out for a survey from the Village. The Village really appreciates any responses/comments you may have to better improve future year projects. Thanks for all your cooperation throughout the work.

Paving Has Begun!

The contractor was out on Saturday to prime the street. The prime is a sticky tack-coat that goes on the binder level of asphalt to create a bond between it and the new surface asphalt. I was onsite and things went very smoothly, thanks to the residents for their cooperation!

The surface asphalt placement began this morning. Swainwood Cul-de-sac, Buttonwood, and a little bit of Alvin were paved by noon. Unfortunately, there were some problems at the asphalt plant, and Peter Baker (the asphalt paver) had to leave for the day. But not to worry, they'll be back tomorrow (praying there is no rain) to complete the job!

Driveways will be cleaned up and prepped for asphalt starting on Wednesday.

Landscape restoration continues. Once the asphalt is complete, the landscapers will be able to finish their prep work and then install the sod.

Now that the binder level of asphalt is complete, there are several things that need to be done before surface can be placed. Some things have all ready begun; as many drivers may have noticed, the frames of the structures have been broken out, meaning the binder asphalt was opened up so that the frame of the structure can be placed at the correct elevation. The parkway restoration will begin, starting with the clearing and smoothing out of the areas that will get restored, and then topsoil will be placed. The sod will not be placed until AFTER the surface asphalt has been installed.

More Paving Pictures

PAVING IN PROGRESS

The roadway preparation was right on schedule and will be completed by the end of today. Paving will commence mid-next week!! Driveways will not be done with the mainline asphalt; they will get binder the follwing week and then be surfaced with the road.

Pavement Removal

The contractor began removing the pavement on Monday. Access to driveways will be left open for the most part; there will be limited access for about 10 minutes at each driveway as the pavement is being removed directly in front of each of them. The contractor removes the pavement and smooths the surface as they’re going, and then comes back and compacts it before the end of the day. Pavement removal should go through the rest of this week.

Once the pavement has been removed, the three small areas that get curb will be done. These areas are around the two islands in the Swainwood Cul-De-Sac and at the very north end (dead end) of Alvin Court.

Next week, the roadway will be prepared for asphalt paving. The duration of this process depends on the strength of the existing stone base of the road. If the existing base is without any weak areas, the grading should take about a week. If some of the existing base needs to be removed and replaced with new stone, the process will take longer.

AFTER all this is done, the binder course (bottom layer) of asphalt can be placed. Due to the amount of roadway we are paving, this process could take a few days. Weather permitting and existing stone base preparation duration, the contractor plans to be paving in the third week of August!

Once the asphalt has been placed, a few things need to take place. A “Leak Detection Test” is performed on all the residential water services to ensure there are no leaks. The lining project (under a different contract) will most likely be taking place. Landscaping will also begin after the asphalt binder is placed (not necessarily immediately after, but should take place in September). The contract states for all disturbed areas to be replaced with topsoil and sod.

I’ve had a couple of residents ask me if the contractor will pave their entire driveway up to the garage. Hoffman Excavating (the general contractor) and the asphalt subcontractor do not do private work. If a resident is interested in replacing his driveway, he would need to do that on his own.