6/26/15: Erie County Announces Summertime Oil & Chip Road Improvements

Modified: June 26, 2015 1:46pm

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Date: 
6/26/15

East Concord Highway District Near Completion; Other Districts Plan Operations Across Numerous Municipalities

ERIE COUNTY, NY— The Erie County Department of Public Works has begun an extensive summertime oil and chip road improvement program, part of the approximately $30 million in road work being conducted across Erie County in 2015, with the East Concord District already reporting operations completed on approximately 90% of the scheduled roads in the District.  Weather permitting, the Hamburg, Aurora, and Clarence Highway Districts will also be involved in these summer-long operations, potentially addressing over 130 total miles of county roads.

“The summer construction season is a key time for improving roads in all corners of Erie County, and the oil and chip program will reach nearly 20 communities with needed road surface improvements,” said Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz. “My administration has invested approximately $90 million in county roads and infrastructure over the past three years, part of our continuing commitment to providing residents and motorists with the best roads possible. I want to thank our Highway crews for their hard work and encourage residents to be patient as road work comes to their area this season.”

A total of 131.72 miles of county roads could see oil and chip operations conducted in 2015. In the East Concord District, a total of 29.5 miles of oil and chip operations have been completed, primarily in the Town of Concord. Town roads seeing work include Abbott Hill, Adams, Drake, Fowlerville, Hoffman, South Hill, Transitline, Trevett, and Wyandale, along with North and Buffalo Streets. In addition to these, oil and chip work will be conducted on West Becker and Lone roads in the Town of Collins; New Oregon and Langford roads in the Village of North Collins; and Allen road in the Town of Sardinia.

Oil and chip operations primarily address roads in outer suburban and rural areas, and are conducted when weather permits. Oil and chip is a commonly-used road improvement and maintenance process in which oil or asphalt emulsion is applied to the roadway and then stone is applied on top of the surface, adhering to the road and creating an improved road surface. Crews have also begun preparation work in the other highway districts in anticipation of beginning oil and chip operations there as well.