ForConstructionPros.com

A “mill and fill” repaving project is generally a straightforward asphalt rehabilitation approach to correct surface flaws in an old road and extend its life cycle serviceability for another 15 years or so. And in the wide-open spaces of a rural environment, there are not a lot of logistical challenges in executing the approach, but a busy urban environment is a whole different story.

Lafarge West Inc. recently completed just such a project for the City of Boulder, CO, and Project Manager Scott Young will be the first to tell you that the success of this $800,000 rehabilitation required a well-planned coordinated effort on the part of all involved.

Lafarge served as the general contractor on the Pearl Street Mall Loop resurfacing project, with milling subcontractor Alpha Milling, traffic control subcontractor American Barricade, striping subcontractor Pavement Services, concrete subcontractor Keene Concrete Inc., and materials QC testing subcontractor Kleinfelder Inc. making up the rest of the construction team. Working closely with the City of Boulder Public Works Department’s Transportation Team, as well as the businesses located in the construction zone, Lafarge managed to complete the project a week earlier and with minimal disruption to the daily activities of Boulder’s thriving business, cultural and recreational centerpiece.

Project location
The Pearl Street Mall is the heart of downtown Boulder. Pearl Street and the adjoining street network were developed with the city in the mid 1800s. Pearl Street was converted into a pedestrian-only mall in 1977. The Pearl Street Mall Loop or “Loop” is a one-way network of roadways that provides the primary circulation around the Pearl Street Mall and downtown Boulder. The Loop is comprised of four streets:

• 11th Street from Spruce Street to Walnut Street
• Walnut Street from 11th Street to 15th Street
• 15th Street from Walnut Street to Spruce Street
• Spruce Street from 15th Street to 11th Street

The roadways are within a designated historic district, as well as a business improvement district. Lining all of the streets is a continuous strip of various commercial business operations, including hotels, restaurants, night clubs, various retail/service establishments, office buildings, churches, civic buildings, parking garages, post office and other businesses. The area is a primary revenue generating district within the City of Boulder. The heavy concentration of businesses required a well planned construction and public relations effort.

The Loop was last resurfaced in 1989. Maintenance activities since then have consisted of patching and some limited crack sealing. The Loop resurfacing was identified as one of the Boulder’s planned 2005 resurfacing projects. The scope of the project consisted of two primary construction phases: