POTTSVILLE — Drivers will notice smoother streets in the city due to paving.
“This will hopefully last 10 years or more,” Tom Whitaker, Pottsville streets department supervisor, said Monday as he looked at a hill on South Jackson Street at the corner of East Norwegian Street.
The street was one of several on the city’s list to be paved. The city hired Tropp Contracting Inc., Pottsville, on an hourly basis to do the work.
“We don’t have the equipment to pave something that wide and that steep,” Whitaker said about the South Jackson Street hill.
Contracting out the service is more efficient, Whitaker said.
“Our trucks can haul about 10 tons,” Whitaker said.
The trucks on site at South Jackson Street can haul about 30 tons.
“It’s been on the list for three years,” Whitaker said.
Jim Tropp, owner of Tropp Contracting, operated the paver while it moved slowly up the hill. He went up the hill several times to provide a good foundation, which is normal.
Drying time is at least two hours.
Other sections to be paved this year are: Nichols Street; intersection of 18th and Elk streets; 16th Street near John S. Clarke Elementary Center; East Market Street near the emergency room; and East Norwegian Street near the hospital. Today, 12th Street from Mahantongo to Market streets will be paved.
Additional minor patch paving will be done on streets throughout the city. The streets are “extremely high-traffic areas,” Whitaker said.
The total paving budget is $130,000 a year, Whitaker said. He estimated about $90,000 has been spent so far this year.
City workers were also working on South Jackson Street on Monday.
At least 10 potholes were spotted on the street before paving started at 11:54 a.m.
“That’s a pretty big pothole if you hit it,” Dave Mitchell, a laborer with Tropp, said Monday. He estimated it was a foot wide and 3 inches deep.
To report a pothole, call the city garage at 570-622-7690 or City Hall at 570-622-1234 and ask for the streets department, or visit www.city.pottsville.pa.us.
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