Money Approved To Upgrade Roads In Guilford Before Winter

GUILFORD, CT — As winter approaches, Public Works Director Dave Castro told the Board of Selectmen he would like to crack seal roads before winter arrives.

“When you crack seal, you can expect eight to 10 years more life of the road,” Castro said.

The Guilford Board of Selectmen approved contracting with Connecticut Seal Coating for crack sealing roads for $97,362.30.

Castro said he is getting away from chip sealing in town, and the alternative to chip sealing is crack sealing the rods.

“I looked at the roads that needed to be done, and they provided an estimate for those of $97,362.32,” Castro said. “Moose Hill Road alone is 2.3 miles, and they will do the whole road.”

Castro said that crack sealing the roads will add a substantial amount of time and life to the roads because it will prevent water from getting into the base, and if they do it soon, they can do a thin mill or one-inch overlay over the top instead of needing to reclaim the roads.

“They come in, remove the vegetation, blow out the dirt, and then crack seal so it will last,” he said. “The quicker we prevent water from getting to the base, the longer it will last.”

Castro said crack sealing does not make the road bumpy, and you can’t feel it when you ride a bike over it.

“There may be an objection to it being a little unsightly at first, but after a while, you don’t notice it,” he said.