Reconstruction To Begin on Mack Hill Road

The three-phase reconstruction of Mack Hill Road begins tomorrow and residents are encouraged to use alternate routes when possible.

The road improvements are part of the road reconstruction project that was approved by voters last year. A $15 million bond was passed to improve 22.8 miles of roads throughout town, which began with the reconstruction of Spring Road by Continental Paving last year.

According to Director of Public Works Bruce Berry, Continental Paving has been selected for this year’s project at $1,436,125.50.

He said the first phase of reconstruction on Mack Hill Road will span from the intersection of Jones Road to the intersection of Woodland Drive. A total of 27 catch basins will be installed in this section, along with 1,791 feet of culvert piping and 4,003 feet of 6-inch underdrain piping. Parts of the road will also be replaced.

Culverts and catch basins will be put in place in later phases of the project as well to maintain the road’s integrity.

“Significant drainage is being added to this road,” said Berry.

The second phase will span from the intersection of Woodland Drive to Roberge Drive, with both phases planned for completion by September 30. The third phase from Roberge Drive to the end of Sprague Road will be worked on until winter, with the rest finished in spring next year.

Berry said 120 homes on Mack Hill Road and side roads will be affected by the reconstruction.

According to Berry, the roads that are part of the reconstruction project have inadequate road bases for the type of vehicles using the road today. He said that the original base used in these roads cannot handle the heavy vehicles that are more common on roads today.

“If you don’t have the right road base, it takes a beating,” said Berry. “Coal mix asphalt is like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich -- when you push down on it, it gives.”

Efforts will be made to keep the road open to traffic, but closures and delays will happen during culvert crossings.