Many municipalities finally get to roadwork after pandemic-related construction pause ends

With local asphalt plants back in business, that means road patching and paving season is finally here for municipalities across the region — including Lower Burrell and its new public works director.

“We are behind schedule because of the coronavirus, but we do have our paving plan finalized,” said Todd Giammatteo.

Lindy Paving Inc., a major asphalt provider with a dozen plants in Western Pennsylvania, reopened this month after being closed for almost two months because of Gov. Tom Wolf’s non-essential business restrictions for the covid-19 pandemic.

“Things are slower now than they typically are, but we can see the momentum in the market,” said Vince Tutino, president of Lindy Paving, based in New Galilee, Beaver County.

Typically, asphalt plants close during the winter and reopen in March when the temperatures are warm enough to lay asphalt — usually about 40 degrees for PennDOT contracts.

“More businesses are coming in every day, including municipalities,” Tutino said.

Plum-based Tresco Paving has started part of North Huntingdon’s total paving program, said Jeff Silka, township manager.

“With the township not being able to do any construction work for almost two months, we do not have all of our roads ready for the paving,” Silka said.

Because of that, Tresco will work in at least two phases to complete the work, Silka said. The next phase will be at the end of summer or early fall.

Irwin tabled its plans for summer paving because of cost concerns.

Lucien Bove, borough engineer, said he believes it would be advantageous for municipal paving projects this summer because of the price drop in oil, which is used to make asphalt.

Murrysville officials awarded a $1.2 million paving contract, which was below engineers’ estimates, according to Council President Dayne Dice, to Tresco for roughly 8 miles of paving work. They are still awaiting word on a start date, Municipal Chief Administrator Jim Morrison said.

Lower Burrell will soon bring back its public works employees to full-time work along with three seasonal workers. They will start to patch and prepare for roadwork.

The coronavirus has slowed down municipal operations, particularly spring road patching, throughout the region.

The roads are bumpier than usual this time of year, Giammatteo said, but not as bad as they could have been thanks to the mild winter.