Pavement Maintenance Switch from Chip Seal to Microsurfacing

"The variable-width spreader box adjusts widths on the fly, which makes it easy to do tight jobs," Eberly says. "The combination of the box and the M1 continuous paver, which is very maneuverable, makes for a great team when resurfacing residential, collector, or thoroughfare streets. Allan Jensen, the project superintendent, and his crew are very familiar with this equipment and the process and were a major key to this job's success."

Communication is key
Ballou's success was helped by a public relations program required by Overland Park requiring Ballou to maintain a clear line of communication with residents and that residents be alerted 48 hours prior to work being started. Additionally, residents were provided with a map of their neighborhood, showing locations where the streets would be closed and where it was safe to park.

The city sent out letters one month before the project began to all residents that would be affected by the microsurfacing, letting them know that maintenance was scheduled for their streets sometime during the summer. Then a postcard was sent to each resident two weeks before the microsurfacing commenced, and finally, Ballou put a door hanger on each residence 48 hours prior to performing work on a street. The door hanger included:

• Date the street and/or driveway would be closed
• Where the resident should park during construction
• Possible causes for delay
• Contact information
• Instructions that residents should follow before driving on the newly microsurfaced street.

Ballou was also required to have a separate phone number and an available receptionist to answer questions from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. every day. The receptionist was required to keep a log for each caller.

"The end result was very successful," Laipple says. "Ballou attached a map showing which streets were safe to park on in the neighborhood, an addition that was highly appreciated by the residents. Overall, the public relations program reduced our calls by 50% compared to previous years."

For more information visit www.opkansas.org or www.bergkampinc.com