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TWSA paves way for S. River Road paving
By Rose Hooper
Until the rains came this week, a dust bowl covered South River Road, according to residents who live along the stretch of unpaved highway.
But relief should come this summer, say N.C. Department of Transportation officials, who plan to have the road paved "by the end of summer."
"We are in the process of putting together contracts for bids now," said Jonathan Woodard, DOT county maintenance engineer. The contracts will specify the available start and finish dates, he said.
Meanwhile, Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority is making sure it doesn't hold up the paving project.
Before surfacing can begin, 15 of the 17 manholes along the highway have to be "brought up to surface," said TWSA Executive Director Hugh Montgomery, whose team began the process Tuesday, April 13.
"We ordered the materials and they arrived this week so team TWSA went to work on it Tuesday," Montgomery said.
The 15 manholes, now ranging from 6 inches to 3 feet below the highway surface, must be raised to two inches above the existing gravel, he said.
"That's going to take a lot of concrete risers, but we've got them," Montgomery said about the shipment that arrived Monday.
For the four months until the road is paved, residents like Kelly Timco worry about the health risk due to the dust.
"It's not just the residents who suffer," Timco said. "It's the fishermen, walkers and joggers along the road. Most joggers I see carry wet rags they hold over their mouths when the cars just speed by and cause a storm of dust. I've seen my neighbor wear a gas mask when it's been so bad, especially when all the construction trucks come through at the same time."
Timco said he used to sweep his porch daily but since so many trees and vegetation were removed he now has to take a leaf blower to the dust in the morning and in the evening.
"All this dirt and erosion goes into the Tuckaseigee River and I hate to think what it's doing to the aquatic life," Timco said.
"I know when they pave the road, cars will probably speed down it going 60 miles an hour. I don't look forward to that, but I'll sure be glad to not have to deal with the dust bowl," Timco said.
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