Why Was Stonesthrow Road Tarred and Chipped? [Letter]

Note: The following is a Letter to the Editor. Letters can be submitted via email to josh.popichak@patch.com.

Not too many months ago Stonesthrow Road (in Lower Saucon Township) was paved. The road crew did an excellent job except for dealing with the access covers to valves and other underground utilities, but it seems that those are never addressed. Even so, Stonesthrow Road has been a pleasure to drive on for some months now. Yesterday (Thursday), however, it was tarred and chipped without warning. Why? I understand that there is some benefit to this process even when done to a recently paved road, but it seems that the money could have been better spent. In Old Philadelphia Pike, just a short distance north of its intersection with Stonesthrow Road, there are several areas which are settling due to repairs to water lines or whatever—at least one of which is bone-jarring if you're riding in a vehicle with a stiff suspension. Another of those depressions has been there for at least seven years, as I made mention of it to the township in 2006. The remainder of Old Philadelphia Pike, at least from Black River Road to Stonesthrow Road, is only in fair condition—a few small potholes having been patched just recently. Does it make sense to tar and chip a newly paved road which is used less than another road it intersects with, which is obviously in need of repair? What is going on?

Andrew Wilt

Lower Saucon Township