Bridgewater to Use Cheap Alternative to Fix Roads

In an effort to save some money, and take care of roads that are considered non-main arteries, the township council unanimously approved a resolution Thursday awarding a contract for chip seal and micro-surfacing work.

According to Robert Bogart, township engineer, this kind of road work is a less common approach to maintaining a road as opposed to mill and overlay, or straight reconstruction.

“It’s also way cheaper,” he said. “It is very labor intensive and requires specialized equipment.”

Township administrator James Naples said this work, although uncommon, actually extends the life of a road for 10 years, and makes it serviceable. He said the township does this on roads that have low traffic, and are mostly neighborhood roads.

The contract for the work was awarded to Asphalt Paving Systems, Inc., for a total of $75,005.70.

This work will be done on Baltusrol Way; Primrose Lane, from Vosseller Avenue to Laurel Trail; and Van Nest Drive, from Washington Valley Road.

Bogart said residents on those roads will receive letters about the work being done.

“This year we’re early in getting to this work,” he said. “We will send a letter to each resident who abuts the streets so they know what’s coming.”

What do you think, Bridgewater? What other neighborhood roads do you think need this kind of service?