Big problems are afoot for the overlay project on LA 31/Main Hwy. Newly-laid asphalt is buckling and cracking, and the issues involved go further than that.
It’s a well-known fact that road surfaces don’t last long on south Louisiana soil. Asphalt overlays like the one underway on La31/Main Hwy between Parks and Ruth often have to be done twice as frequently here as in other areas.
The $2.7 million project, slated for completion in November, has now hit a snag. DOTD spokesman Bill Oliver told the Teche News that his department suspects a problem with the asphalt formulation. This is one, but not the only issue.
“There is additional testing going on now,” Oliver said, “Work is continuing with a redeveloped mix, but the contractor is disputing our findings. We also find the slope and cross-slope design to be unsatisfactory in some areas.”
Improper slopes and cross-slopes can inhibit road drainage, decrease safety and shorten the life of asphalt overlays. Oliver said some of those issues have resulted in a surface that has been found to be unacceptable by DOTD inspectors. In some places a lack of uniformity in the cross-sloping has resulted in a surface that does not ride well, he added.
Asked whether the problems are likely to mean the surface has to be removed and done over, Oliver said, “Right now we think it probably will. Testing currently underway will determine that.” What effect that may have on the completion schedule remains to be seen.
