Clayton Road Construction: Repaving Continues Monday

Step 1: Milling -- We will have a large grinding machine (Roto Mill) which will remove portions of the existing surface from the roadway. This is intended to remove some of the dips and rolls from the pavement but most importantly will allow us to match the lines and grades of all the side streets and driveways. We will only be milling along the edge of the roadway in an effort to maintain as much of the stability of the existing roadway pavement as possible.  

Step 2: Base repairs -- Since the milling process applies a large amount of force to the pavement, it is anticipated that certain sections will crumble and cause need for repair. In locations where this occurs, we will excavate the pavement full depth and replace it to the newly milled grade.

Step 3: Wedging -- This is the application of a very thin layer of asphalt on the roadway surface. Its intent is to remove some more of the dips and rolls in the pavement and provide a relatively smooth surface and to prepare it for the installation of the fabric in the next step. This surface will not look like a finished surface and is not intended to. It is solely utilized to aid in the application of the paving fabric and enhance its functionality. This will have an average thickness of approximately 1/2-inch.

Step 4: Paving fabric -- We utilize a paving fabric that adds structural integrity to the pavement. It is a high tensile strength system that when sandwiched between the wedge course and the surface course will essentially function as a laminated beam. This also controls the amount and frequency of reflective cracking which will come through the new pavement. 

Step 5: Surface placement -- This will happen immediately after the placement of the fabric. We will cover the surface in a two inch thick overlay of fresh asphalt.  This will be the finished surface of the roadway. Once completed, it will be marked with temporary pavement markers and given an opportunity to cure for a few days to a week before it is striped.

Last step: Striping -- The roadway will be striped in its current configuration. The exception to this will be across the I-270 bridge deck where the lanes will be shifted slightly to the south to accommodate the barrier wall. At the time this is striped, we will also stripe all of the trail crossings at the side streets and a few other specialty markings. 

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For more information, go to the city's website page dedicated to the project. Residents can also email Public Works Director Craig Wilde if they would like to receive email updates or have questions. Wilde can also be contacted by phone at 314-587-2824.

Check back to Town and Country-Manchester Patch for updates on the project.