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Citizens complained about how bad it looked -- dirty. Shopkeepers
complained that the loose particles and tar were getting tracked
into their businesses, and rumblings began to start a campaign,
"Sweep the Streets." The city streets superintendent, Tracy
Jackson, schedules additional street sweeping for those streets as
permitted, but the coating is in a continual breakdown, and with
snowstorms and other street department operations, the work has been
overwhelming.
As soon as the problem became apparent, contact with the
contractor was established and has continued. Chuck Merrill of
Merrill's Contractors in Springfield said that the owner of
Specialty Paving, the company making the product that was used, has
said they would make good on the problem streets and stand
completely behind their product. They had not had an issue like this
in 20 years of making that slurry coat and said that they were
disappointed in the results also.
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 An unanticipated turn in the weather to wet and cold during the
application was suspected as the primary factor in its failure.
City engineer Mark Mathon, council member Dave Armbrust and city
attorney Bill Bates discussed what needed to be stipulated in the
renewed, extended contract.
To allow for better weather opportunity and flexibility of
scheduling between the company and city crews, the contract is being
extended to September. Mayor Beth Davis asked that they work around
the various special events that occur in town.
The work will be done at no added cost.
[Jan
Youngquist]
Past related article
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