Batesville City Engineer Damon Johnson told White River Now’s Gary Bridgman on Wednesday that the city is constantly monitoring cuts being made in city streets by the city’s contractors as well as utility companies and their associated contractors.
Johnson said the cuts on Broad and Bates Streets in central Batesville are from contracted work being done on the city’s water lines.
Johnson said after the initial work is completed, the contract (city) requires the company to repair the cuts in the city streets. He noted all the cuts and repairs are inspected by the city, and sometimes, a particular repair job will have to be redone.
City street repair requires concrete below pavement level and then asphalt over and at least a foot beyond the cut, according to Johnson.
He said most of the cuts in the city’s asphalted streets are done by utility companies working in the public right-of-way. But they also have the requirement to repair the cuts they make back to the previous condition or better.
Johnson noted that he wished it were possible to asphalt an entire block when cuts are made in that particular block, but hot mix is so expensive that asphalting would, more times than not, double the cost of the project and make it unaffordable. He said asphalt is currently priced at $110 a ton — and a ton only covers a few feet.
Have a news tip or event to promote? Email White River Now at news@whiterivernow.com. Be sure to like and follow us on Facebook and Twitter. And don’t forget to download the White River Now mobile app from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.
Get up-to-date local and regional news/weather every weekday morning and afternoon from the First Community Bank Newsroom on Arkansas 103.3. White River Now updates are also aired weekday mornings on 93 KZLE, Outlaw 106.5, and Your FM 99.5.
