By James B. Bartle
The construction of Elmont Rd. and the pending asphalt project to resurface the roadway was not affected by asphalt plant closings, according to Sullivan city engineer, Robert Schaffer.
Elmont Rd. has been under construction for several months following the completion of the new Elmont overpass. The roadway is to be completed once weather allows. The project was started a month late due to a month overrun on the Elmont overpass project.
“I know that people saw the 70 degree weather Wednesday and wanted to know why crews were not out paving,” said Schaffer. “But with the freezing at night along with rain or snow, it provides problems at the surface. We want a good asphalt application and don’t want to have problems where this new pavement has problems a year or two down the road.”
Schaffer explained that the surface has to be compacted to grade and each time we have rain or freezing temperatures this roadway area is affected. Crews will need several days of dry weather and temperatures that don’t dip below freezing at night to complete the project.”
Schaffer has been questioned by the city council on whether the city should have started the project in the fall.
Schaffer felt that, with the amount of traffic that travels Elmont Rd. to the city parks and baseball leagues, swimming pools and the upcoming Springfield Rd. project,  Elmont should have been done during the fall and winter months to make less impact in the community.
There were accusations this past week that the project work was not being done due to area asphalt plants being closed. Schaffer dispelled this comment and stated that the plants being closed had no impact on this project.
“We never had an opportunity to pave while the plant was closed,” said Schaffer. “It’s just not been ready to go.”
Schaffer did not want to speculate on a project completion date and felt that as soon as consecutive good weather days occur the project will be completed.