Leonard L. HaneyClinton Township

Things have changed from the way I liked to seal the roads when I was a township roadmaster for 25 years.
I would sprinkle a curtain of half limestone and half cracked gravel mix on top of the fresh oil. Then I wouild roll it down tight with a steel-wheel roller, even with vibration on uneven areas.
I wanted to embed the chips deeper into the oil, plus the steel wheels also would force the limestone down between the harder gravel and eliminate the flying chips that damage windshields, headlights and paint, and which pelt motorcyclists.
The dense compaction was much quieter and easier on car tires for safe steering and stopping, plus the stronger surface would withstand the heavy winter snowplows from skimming away the new coverage.
I did not want loose gravel to bounce around like marbles on the road, so I always had a delaying agent added to the oil, which gave the roller time to press the chips in tight and stable before the gluing cure.
I always was careful not to overspread the chips, as traffic would cause the "sandpaper effect" where the loose chips would scrub away the chips planted in the oil.
If necessary, I would choke with a limestone and sand mix, then roll it dry. On the same day I could lightly sweep the new surface for any dusty residue.
I'm a stubborn believer that the harder and smoother the road surface is compacted, the longer it lasts.
We used to have the freedom to experiment regarding what works best on different types of roads, but now the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) regulations have all the answers.



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