TEMPERANCE — Several bumpy roads have drawn complaints in Bedford Township. Soon those roads will have annoying but necessary orange construction barrels.
Monroe County Road Commission is expecting to start 23 projects on 11 township roads during the summer or early fall. Summerfield and Temperance Roads were the most frequent targets of criticism from residents.
“This year and last year the roads have needed immense improvement,” Township Supervisor Greg Stewart said. “We need to take the next step and plan for maintenance more, and put more funds to maintenance so all our efforts aren’t wasted.”
Overall, an estimated $2.8 million will go into Bedford Township roads, according to Mr. Smith.
Of that amount, $1.9 million will come from the township and $400,000 will come from the road commission, and Federal Aid Projects are funding $530,000.
Summerfield Road will have the most work done with just over 2 miles receiving base stabilization. Mike Smith, MCRC director of operations, said the base-stabilization project means roads should not need work for two or three years.
“The base is pulverized and crushed to remove cracks, and asphalt mix goes in the base, which is rebranded and injected with cement before pavement is poured on top,” Mr. Smith said.
Base-stabilization projects also are slated for parts of Temperance Road (0.89 miles), Smith Road (1.09 miles), Dean Road (0.44 miles), and a mile of Jackman Road. Mr. Smith said the projects will begin in July.
Crews also will fill overband cracks along sections of Lewis, Monroe, Secor, Sterns, and Summerfield roads.
“Basically it seals it to stop water from getting into the base,” Mr. Smith said. “It is not to prevent cracks in the road, but delay it and give the road a little more life.”
He also said it can be wise to spend money to fill cracks for many township roads, rather than stabilize the base of only a few roads.
Mr. Smith, who oversees projects in all of Monroe County, said the majority of county road projects will take place in Bedford Township.
“Greg Stewart has done a good job committing a lot of money to get the roads in better condition,” he said.
Contractors will perform 95 percent of the work, so start dates have not been finalized for many projects.
Contact Matt Thompson at: mthompson@theblade.com, 419-356-8786, or on Twitter at @mthompson25.
First Published June 22, 2015, 4:00 a.m.
