Date: Fri 27-Aug-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

state-DOT-Main-Street-paving

Full Text:

State Promises Main St Will Be Paved For Parade

BY STEVE BIGHAM

Don't fret, say state highway workers, Main Street will be back to normal in

time for the Labor Day Parade.

The stretch of road from the flagpole south has been chopped up as part of a

state Department of Transportation's (DOT) paving project. Barring a week's

worth of rain, however, the street should be back in order by September 6.

Paving is expected to begin at the flagpole at 8 pm Monday night. Workers will

pave through the night and have the road open by 5 o'clock the following

morning. The project is scheduled to be done by September 10.

"We will be long gone when the parade starts, providing we have at least one

clear day between August 30 and Labor Day," explained supervisor Randy

Pronovost. "We will work with the town to make sure there are no problems."

In "milling" Main Street last week, DOT workers removed the top layer of

asphalt from the road. This left behind a very choppy, rough and unattractive

surface, which will enable the asphalt to better adhere when it is put down

next week.

There are also huge bumps in the roadway at intersections with West Street,

Church Hill Road, Glover Avenue and Route 302. Cars slowing to minimize those

bumps still have to contend with protruding manholes and elevated catch

basins.

"It's necessary to do this type of work to get good matching pavement. Yes, it

is an inconvenience, but it is only temporary," explained DOT official Jim

Lapan.

Motorists may notice that the center of the road has not been "milled." DOT

officials say this ensures that the road maintains its crown once the paving

project is complete.

"It keeps the curb reveal intact," explained Fred Hurley, the town's director

of public works. "A road gets thicker and thicker every time you pave."

Mr Pronovost figured it has been about ten years since Main Street was last

paved.

The state has contracted the paving work to Tilcon & Tomasso of Plainville.