University Avenue repaving -- Surprise!

Hi Folks,

It's just before 10pm, and I've just come home after spending about an hour at University Avenue and Spring Harbor Drive with the DOT inspector for the University Avenue (2012) project. If you live, work or travel this corridor, you've seen the repaving and repair work that's been going on there since Monday.

It turns out that what was originally supposed to be some relatively minor repairs to some of the pavement that is failing has turned into a Big Deal. Work that was supposed to be limited to 9am - 3pm now looks like it could go several more hours this evening. Unless it rains tonight, in which case some of it may need to be redone next week. Either way, there will probably be more work over the next several days to fix areas of curb and bike path that need repair, remarking the lanes, etc. That work should be within the 9-3 hours and not cause significant lane closures. Small sections of the bike path may be closed from time to time as repairs are made.

I'm frustrated with this, and the inspector is too. The contractor didn't do a good job in the first place, and now they're having to fix it, which is good because it won't cost us anything, but the challenge for the inspector is that without a financial motive, it is difficult to get the contractor to follow his instructions. For example, they are not supposed to be closing lanes during peak hours, but that's exactly what happened today.

I'm doubly frustrated that nobody told me or the neighborhood association that this work was going to take place this week.

I apologize for the inconvenience this is causing. It will be done soon, and the rest of the work should not be as intrusive as it was today. Thank you for your patience.

Ald. Mark Clear