In 2014 the city seal coated a number of roadways within
Breezy Point. Seal Coating amounts to
the application of a thin layer of oil like tar with a cover coat of rock
material. The thin tar that is applied
rejuvenates the asphalt and fills the voids of minor cracking that occurs in
asphalt over time. The rock material
covers the tar to prevent slicking and creates a new wear surface. This effort is something that is accomplished
on road surfaces that are in good shape.
Crack seal in also important to be accomplished prior to seal
coating. It is a waste of resources to
apply a seal coat to a roadway that has alligator cracking.
In 2015 we had intentions again to accomplish seal coating
but timing did not work out. We
cooperate with Crow Wing County on a joint bid and we did not have the
opportunity to accomplish crack sealing in time for seal coat activities. With funds available in 2015 we’ll combine
them with funds in 2016 to do additional seal coating next summer.
With two years of resources available in 2016 a considerable
amount of seal coating is anticipated. Seal
coating is done primarily in neighborhoods and two areas have been
selected. One grouping of roads includes
Beverly Drive, Russ Court, Rolling Oaks, East Street and 5th Avenue. The other grouping includes Mohican Circle,
Eagle Lane, Sparrow Drive, Owl Circle, Canary Lane, Wren Drive, Robin Lane,
Osceola Circle and Oriole Circle.
The city council has approved the seal coating for these
roadways so the process begins. Plans and
specifications will be drawn up by Crow Wing County and they will solicit
bids. Roadway maintenance has taken a
back seat in terms of effort and expense but there is concern that we need to
take care of what we have. Pavement
management is something we’re now thinking about.
