March 18, 2024

Street overlay project to begin Friday

The next phase of street repair work is set to begin Friday in Newton. Seven streets throughout Newton will have sections repaired using a mill and overlay system contracted through Manatts, Inc.

“We looked at what are some of the asphalt streets that needed repaired. We identified these streets this winter and also had the open house in the spring,” Newton Public Works Director Keith Laube said. “These are streets that if we do not do some maintenance now, we’re going to probably have to reconstruct them in the future, which is what we are trying to avoid.”

The streets include sections of East Eighth Street North and South, North Fourth Avenue East, East 19th Street South, West Eighth Street South, West Second Street South and East Second Street South. Those streets will first have a couple of inches of asphalt milled off the top of the roadway. That area will then be replaced by new asphalt, which is expected to have a shelf life of 20 to 25 years. The asphalt that is milled off will also be recycled.

“This is mostly a two inch milling, and three to four in overlay, depending on the street,” said project manager Steve Illingworth.

Although no firm schedule is in place, Illingworth said they will potentially be starting on the east side of town and work their way west. As streets come up on the docket, flyers will be passed out giving a 48-hour notice of the repair work near residences.

Illingworth said when the construction is underway, residents are urged to park their vehicles off of the street, and are asked to avoid mowing into the street and avoid the intersections adjacent to the street. Barricades will be placed around the construction area as well.

“We’re not here to block them out of their house totally, there are just certain times it may be more difficult,” Illingworth said.

The entire project is expected to last two weeks from start to finish depending on weather and machinery.

The street repairs are funded from two sources — $500,000 coming from the 2015 bond and $250,000 provided by the 10-cent increase in the gas tax.

Future street projects include the reconstruction of South Second Avenue and North Fourth Avenue West, which is scheduled for next year. For additional information on when and where roadwork is being completed, contact the public works department at 641-792-6622.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com