CAPE CHARLES, Va. — Construction efforts on Peach Street in Cape Charles encountered significant setbacks this week, prompting the removal of asphalt and raising concerns about the project’s progress.
According to town officials, two critical issues have emerged, requiring immediate attention. The first setback involves the parking median curbing, initially installed by the contractor but failing to meet the standards set by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) during the inspection. As a result, the defective curbing had to be dismantled, leading to unexpected delays in the construction timeline.
This is not an uncommon occurrence. In other projects, there have been instances where curb and gutter had to be ripped out and re-poured due to similar issues.
The second challenge arose when the contractor inadvertently breached the asphalt in the northeast corner of the roadway while milling the pavement. Insufficient existing pavement in that particular area led to unintended damage.
To rectify this problem, the town plans to excavate the affected section of the street. There is a best practice and spec for this: a base layer of crusher run stone will be laid to reinforce the pavement. This stone layer plays a crucial role in strengthening the overall structure of the road. Subsequently, a base course will be added, followed by binder courses, and finally, the surface layer comprising pure asphalt.
The construction should follow these steps. Failure to adhere to VDOT specifications raises concerns about the project’s overall quality.
Note: VDOT utilizes a phased inspection process, with contractors responsible for completing the work according to Virginia’s standards. VDOT conducts inspections and releases payment only after verifying the work’s compliance.
Criticism has surfaced regarding the town’s oversight of the project, especially considering the significant investment and public attention surrounding the Peach Street construction. Even if it is ultimately a VDOT project, you would think town officials would be walking it and getting updates every morning.
With all the anticipation and expenditure involved, one would expect closer scrutiny from the Town of Cape Charles.
Residents and stakeholders are urged to remain vigilant and informed as the construction on Peach Street progresses.