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.
CCM: Failure to adhere to VDOT specifications raises concerns about the project’s overall quality.
ME: And talk about mastering the art of understatement, alright!
“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.”
What other projects did this occur on? How many curb and gutter installations have happened and
how many were ripped out and re-poured?
Thanks
Editor’s Note: Back when I worked for the then VDH&T, there were occassions where the curb and gutter would have issues, such as a swail or low spot where the water would not drain as intended. If it was several miles of work, it was not uncommon to have a spot where it had to be re-poured. Any inspector will tell you this. Peach however, is a short distance. I was on a project in VB with close to 7 miles of new curbing. We had to rework some of it, but just small sections. You will generally find that concrete contractors in the 757 are very good.
If I was a business owner on Peach Street, I would be extremely mad for the way this entire project has been handled. Projects similar to this one have been completed in much less time with little disruption to businesses and foot traffic! Was it necessary to completely gut the entire street with access to businesses virtually cut off? I note the same type of construction on Laskin Road in Virginia Beach where each business was afforded access during construction and the site was well lit! I had an incident a couple of months ago where I was trying to pick up a food order from a restaurant on Peach Street. It was dark and there was not one light or signage showing where to access the businesses! I am talking pitch black! I stepped into a hole with mud covering my shoes. Had there been lighting I would have seen the hole! Of course, I contacted the Town and was fed one excuse after another! Now there is another month plus delay because a contractor didn’t know code and VDOT regulations?
It’s just the towns way of getting more of what they want than originally approved. Or decide in the process they don’t like it and pay the contractor to mess it up so it has to be done differently. The town is always paying someone off to get their way.
Proof?