by Jessica Kwong
In the next two months, drivers and cyclists citywide may encounter some blocks closed off for a couple of days due to surface treatment work, and the blocks may appear chocolate brown-colored for the following four to five weeks.It’s part of the Department of Public Works’ latest road micro-surfacing effort, a process that involves applying a crushed-rock and liquid-oil mixture that protects asphalt pavement from inclement weather, sun wear and natural aging.
The work started Wednesday on 38th Avenue and 46th Avenue between Fulton and Cabrillo streets. It will include 400 total streets that were chosen for being in residential areas and having a “good” Pavement Condition Index score of 64 to 84, on a scale of 0 to 100.
“They are blocks with fairly small or medium cracks, that we can keep in the ‘good’ range for more years,” said DPW spokeswoman Mindy Linetzky. “This is sort of a way of preserving the roads for the future.”
Two crews are hitting the streets on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on some weekends. On the first day for a particular block, they apply a crack sealant and add the micro-surface material the following day.
The micro-surfacing, a $3.5 million project funded with gas-tax proceeds, is one component of The City’s overall paving strategy. Last year, 854 blocks got repaved or resurfaced, according to DPW Director Mohammed Nuru, and reaching the goal of 900 this year would mark a new record high.