Cape begins repairing roads

The city of Cape Girardeau has begun road-repair season, with work scheduled to last through spring and into summer.

Some of the work is being carried out by a contractor, while public-works crews take care of other needs.

Concrete street repairs will take place in more than 50 locations over the next few months. The contractor is Nip Kelley Equipment Co., and the work is funded through Transportation Trust Fund 4. The city council appropriated $350,000 for street repairs in the first half of 2015.

City traffic engineer Stan Polivick said the repairs involve street panel replacement, specifically on those in more serious condition.

"So you'll see them working in areas where (the road is) cracked up or potholes or just not in good condition," he said.

Areas of focus include the 2200 and 2300 blocks of Kent Drive, sections near the Belleridge Pike and Sara Drive intersection, 500 through 600 blocks of Woodbine Place, 2400 block of Camel Back Road and sections of David Street and Valley Forge Lane. Work is expected to end on these projects by July 1.

Single-lane closures in the areas under repair are likely, but Polivick said he doesn't expect motorists will encounter blocks closed for through traffic. Still, he said it was important to drive slowly in those areas and watch for workers and barricades.

While this work takes place, public works crews will fan out across the city, taking care of pothole patching. This work will take place throughout the spring.

Polivick said potholes will be filled with an asphalt "cold mix" until warmer weather arrives. Then the city will begin using the DuraPatcher machine. It places a mix of small rocks and asphalt on the area and smooths it.

"Cold mix is all we're using right now. In the next couple of weeks, we might start using the pothole patching machine," he said. "When you've got good weather, that machine seems to make a more permanent or more lasting repair than just the cold mix."

There are many potholes around the city, Polivick said. Many formed on older roads in poor condition, and he said recent winter weather likely has "amplified the severity" of some potholes.

Until this week, three city crews were dedicated to filling potholes. It's down to one crew, but Polivick said the city is prepared to put more workers back on the job if needed. The city and public works staff usually have a good handle on where potholes are, but he said they welcome tips from the public.

"I'd rather hear about one three times than not hear about one at all," he said.

Potholes can be reported by visiting cityofcapegirardeau.org/reportproblem or calling 339-6351.

srinehart@semissourian.com

388-3641

Pertinent address:

Cape Girardeau, Mo.