Most paving jobs around here consist of grinding off some old pavement and laying a new coat on top. For this job they took off all the old pavement. Then they began working with the gravel base and spent lots of time to rearrange the base. I'd never seen that before. Finally, they came with the paving crew and did the paving.
Now they went to a lot of effort to redo this street. However, it was originally done in 1965 so costing the old road over 49 years was a good deal. I hope this one lasts 49 years.
Paving crews are very hard workers. This one was no different. they worked very hard. I asked one of the flagmen how long they'd worked that day and she told me 13 hours. They're a tough bunch.
 |
| Back and forth a 100 times. |
 |
| The monster |
 |
| There always has to be one worker taking it easy. This was the foreman and I think he was texting. |
 |
| Just to make the females happy there were quite a few females on this crew and they did the hard work like everybody else. |
 |
| My camera was to slow to catch this guy |
 |
| One of the guys riding on the back of the paver and adjusting things |
 |
| Paving crews have more rakes than gardeners. |
they get a lot of grief for leaning on rake handles and slowing down traffic, but you're right - they have a tough job working on hot pavement with hot tar and mix in the heat of the day while we complain about sitting in our air conditioned car for a few minutes.
ReplyDeleteThey also have to work quickly with the material or it doesn't spread and cools and dries so it doesn't stick together.
DeleteThey have done a proper job here. I expect they have to with your winters or the frost would mean then resurfacing every year.
ReplyDeleteYes they have learned how to make roads to handle frost ...at least to some extent.
DeleteI love the smell of hot new tarmac. We call them roads here in the UK. The pavements are the paths next to the roads that people walk on. It's funny how terminology differs from country to country isn't it? Was there a race to see who gets to drive on the shiny new road first Red?
ReplyDeleteThere doesn't seem to be any race as to who drives first, but the skate boarders show up when there's nice smooth pavement.
DeleteThat is a long day working 13 hours. I have never seen a woman here at the roadworks, your country is very emancipated. Here they mostly do these works for highways at night because of the crowded country we have. It is always interesting to watch those works you don't see so often.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's a large operation with lots of action.
DeleteYes they are very hard workers indeed. It gets incredibly hot on that asphalt. I have a lot of respect for them!
ReplyDeleteIncredibly hot is an understatement. They tell me they just get used to it.
DeleteOur parking lot in the apartment where I live was re-paved this spring, and it was interesting to watch the process. It sure is nice to have a smooth pavement to park on now. We didn't have any females in our crew here. You are more progressive in Canada, eh? :-)
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to tell how many women were working as each job had a separate crew. I saw women as flagmen, putting up signs, shoveling asphalt and driving equipment.
DeleteThis is a tough job, especially when it's really hot out! And freshly paved streets looking great.
ReplyDeleteI guess that's why most of the crew wee young.
DeleteNot a job I would want
ReplyDeleteNot a job I could handle.
DeleteI'm so sick of the sight of those machines! Every major thoroughfare in the small community where I have to go to shop is having roadwork done this summer. It has been a nightmare. On the other hand, if they would like to come out here and pave my road, I'd be most appreciative!
ReplyDeleteYou will change your mind about the bother when you drive on smooth roads.
DeleteThey are a hardy bunch, the smell and the heat coupled with the hard work must be awful...not a job I would like for sure. I bet you will enjoy your new street! :)
ReplyDeleteThe pay is really good on these crews. Many are students.
DeleteIt looks like a hot and dirty job. I'm always impressed by people who work physically.
ReplyDeleteYa gotta give them a lot of credit. It's not a job for sissies!
DeleteLooks like a great job. Saw lots of paving on my travels and I agree that these folks work very hard for their money!
ReplyDeleteHere the summer is busy as this can't be done in the winter.
DeleteGREEN, I tell you, GREEN with envy!!
ReplyDeleteWe live on a private road (when we bought the house we were so stupid we just thought this meant it would be quiet) that, thanks to snow plowing and frost heaves, is like driving in the Baja. We just learned that the town is willing to come pave it, but it will cost at least $16,000! With only 3 houses on the street, this means a considerable cost to each of us.
You're in a tough situation.
DeleteI only see women holding the stop signs here at our big neighborhood project. It's good to see yours driving the equipment.
ReplyDeleteThey also shovel the stuff and rake. the crew seems to rotate jobs.
DeleteWhat a fun event. You covered it really well!
ReplyDeleteFun foi me but not those people.
DeleteLooks good!
ReplyDeleteThe majority of the roads around here are gravel.
They come grade our road a few times a year. We are the only house on our road.
Cheri
Looks they're doing a good job!
ReplyDeleteWhen people drive on the new surface they will take it for granted and never give a thought to the work that went into it.
ReplyDeleteIt sure looks like they did a beautiful job, Red. You should have smooth driving there.
ReplyDelete