Northwood News ♦ June 2017

Resurfacing of Neighborhood Streets Nearly Done

By David Rotenstein

The end is near.  No, we’re not going to be hit by an asteroid (I don’t think).  And no, aliens aren’t going to invade.

The end I’m writing about is the long wait for smoothly resurfaced streets in our neighborhood.  By the time this newsletter reaches your home, most or all of the work to repair and resurface our streets will be completed.

Though the ruts and potholes are gone, there still are some questions about what was done and how.  I contacted the Montgomery County Department of Transportation with a laundry list of questions.  Josh Faust, the agency’s public outreach manager provided me with some answers.

Q:  The milling done before the final hot mix asphalt treatment created deep holes that only got deeper until the equipment returned to complete work on some streets.  Will those deep holes be permanently patched/repaired instead of simply paved over?

A:  The areas in question were indeed permanently patched and repaired similar to the work done last fall.  Per our conversation, MCDOT took great care in prepping the road surface prior to our resurfacing operations.  These areas are now just as stable as any other section of roadway.

Q:  WSSC has done some excavation in areas after they received HMA treatment.  What can MCDOT do to require WSSC to repair the affected roadways and restore them to conditions created by the HMA?

A:  MCDOT was alerted to the utility work as it was taking place.  Since MCDOT does not oversee utility work in the roadway, we alerted DPS (Dept. of Permitting Services).  This agency is responsible for supervising and permitting utility work in county roads.  MCDOT learned that the WSSC was working without a permit and DPS dealt with the matter appropriately.  The additional markings you may see on your street as a result of the WSSC sewer replacement are the limits to which WSSC will have to repave the street.  Due to the pavement cut within the new pavement, they are having to mill and overlay a much larger length than would be standard.  This means the road will be completely resurfaced.

Q:  One resident with experience in environmental engineering noticed that the HMA completed roadways lacked a “crown” to facilitate water runoff.  Will crowning be done or is this no longer part of the roads program?

A:  Not all roads in Montgomery County or in general require a crown to be installed as part of their resurfacing operations.  Water runoff finds the path of least resistance and MCDOT does not anticipate any additional issues with water drainage following the conclusion of our project.

Q:  When will the neighborhood know that the projects are complete?

A:  The neighborhood will know when the project is done when MCDOT demobilizes and leaves the neighborhood.  We do not generally send a notice to neighbors alerting them of the conclusion of our work as that is not MCDOT protocol.  As mentioned above, DPS is overseeing the WSSC’s work where they cut into the new pavement.  Any questions regarding the utilities restoration/resurfacing efforts should be directed towards DPS.   ■