The following is an ‘Ask The Mayor’ question submitted to TLS, and the Mayor’s response. Email your questions for the Mayor to [email protected].
Question:
Dear Mayor Coles,
Thank you for your service to our town and for providing a means for its citizens to air their concerns.
The water companies massive project throughout Lakewood has led to numerous badly paved roads. I believe most people are very understanding of road closures when important projects are being worked on, however, when the conditions of road after being worked renders it un-driveable there is a huge problem. As a prime example, there is a spot James Street near Cross Street that is so uneven that it is unsafe to drive on. Another example is also on James Street driving over the railroad tracks near Williams St. there is a massive bump that did not exist before the water company did their work.
How can we resolve this so that our roads are easy and safe to drive on again?
Thank you in advance for your assistance. I look forward to your response.
Kindly,
Debbie R
Response from Mayor Coles:
I have asked our engineer to review the work and make sure it meets standards.
Manty times when utility work like this is done, it is necessary to do the paving in 2 steps. Then initial paving allows the dirt and asphalt to settle. Once that is done they come back and do do a final paving to restore the road.
The temporary work should not leave problems like this.
I will see what we can do to get it resolved as soon as possible.
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They are supposed to come back and pave over a second time. Unfortunately, it feels like it does not happen unless we manually request each one individually from the mayor. They never come back and repave unless they are made to.
Why should they finish the whole job, if they can get the full payment for doing half the work
The author of this letter is conflating 2 issues. The infamous “bump” on James St by the railroad track is due to the regrading that was done last summer in preparation for the new light at Williams and James.
It is a massive bump because the track is at normal level while the road only has the first coat of asphalt. The full paving can only be done after the construction at the intersection is complete.
And by the Mr. Mayor, when is that going to happen?
Nice explanation, but they can’t leave a road undrivable. That bump at the tracks is crazy, I’m certain that cars have been damaged from it. (Personally, I’ve spilled many coffees going over it!)
When I come to the tracks, I always slow down to 20 mph and then my car is okay. Slowing down is not a good solution, they need to take care of this.
We are still waiting for the pavement on E County Line Rd, near Brook Rd. Would be great the hear some good news about it!