JCC Unhappy With Road Surface Treatment

By Desiree Parker Friday, December 23, 2011

James City County sent a letter to the Virginia Department of Transportation this week complaining about pavement treatments put down recently and requesting VDOT stop using the material in the future.

In a letter addressed to Governor Bob McDonnell and sent to local General Assembly representatives and VDOT and transportation officials this week, County Administrator Robert Middaugh noted that the Board of Supervisors has received several complaints about the resurfacing treatments.

Complaints include: road conditions are rougher and noisier during the curing period (which can last several weeks); there is excess gravel on the side of the road that impedes walking and biking; the gravel runoff could negatively impact the environment; and the overlay kicks up debris that damages cars.

“In addition, residents feel this type of resurfacing detracts from their neighborhoods, not just functionally but aesthetically,” Middaugh wrote. “The look and feel of neighborhoods where this resurfacing was applied stands in stark contrast to its previous condition.”

In the fall, VDOT’s Williamsburg Residency Administrator Rossi Carroll told WYDaily that this type of surface treatment is very common in Virginia and has been used for a long time on secondary roads (read that story here).

The treatments were added to some county roads recently that were about 15 years old and showing signs of wear. This treatment extends the life of roads for another five to seven years and keeps them from having to be torn up and repaved, Carroll said.

“This type of resurfacing, while economically desirable for VDOT, is clearly inferior to what our citizens expect,” Middaugh wrote. “The Board requests that this type of resurfacing not be used in the future in James City County.”

The letter was precipitated by Supervisor John McGlennon, who received repeated complaints from a number of people in his district who had experience with the new treatment and asked the county to act on the issue.