ST. PAUL - Early degradation of a section of road that was recently paved has been noted by the Town of St. Paul along 42nd Street, a very busy section of town near the St. Paul Cornerstone Co-op and a number of other area businesses.
Early this year, town staff noticed some early degradation in the road, and after looking into the issues, Assistant CAO and Director of Public Works Steven Jeffery says it was discovered that there was an issue with the asphalt used.
The section of concern goes from 50th Ave (main street) up to the Co-op liquor store.
"The road is aging way too quick," said Jeffery, when speaking to Town of St. Paul council at the Aug. 10 meeting.
The work is still under warranty, and the contractor is coming back to town and will repave the section. But, the contractor has asked to have the entire section of road closed while work takes place. Work is set to take place this week, starting Wednesday and carrying into Thursday and potentially Friday, according to Jeffery.
He supported the request to close the road while work takes place and acknowledged that there will have to be some conversations with area businesses to make it happen.
"This is supposed to be a very quick turnaround," said Jeffery, noting that weather could be a factor in how long the paving takes. "The reality is that we can't pave in the rain."
Coun. Nathan Taylor commended the public works department for catching the issue in time, and said he felt the town must go ahead with the work while it's under warranty. Doing the project also sets a good example to the community, since the town encourages businesses to also take care of their roads and parking lots.
Mayor Maureen Miller agreed, saying the town should pursue the project while it's under warranty and hopes the business community in the area understands.
Jeffery also said that he would like to see a dip in the road along 50th Avenue (main street) also corrected at the same time. That work will not be under any kind of warranty, but there are funds in the public works budget to do the work. The dip is located at the intersection of 50th Ave and 42nd Street, along the highway.
"It has settled again," said Jeffery, speaking of the area. He explained that there is a sewer main under the road, but noted that just the road has settled, not the sewer main.
Council agreed to proceed with the work.
