1/2 mustachian - highway dept paved for me

[hernandz]

Still very much on the journey to mustachianism, but for dear husband's peace of mind and safety (he is disabled with walking/balance issues), we decided to pave our parking spot (it's too short to call a driveway).  We solicited several bids and they were in the neighborhood of $2500, which would include several inches of base over our dirt off-street parking to come up to proper grading since we are now slightly below street-level.  Last week, the highway department supervisor came by and said they had asphalt they were recycling from a local highway. The most recent repaving of the street had "damaged" our spot sufficiently, there would be no charge. 

This morning, bright and early, they had dump truck, small backhoe and pavement roller and got right to work.  This afternoon, the highway superintendent came by to check on the work.  It looks beautiful to us, and using a recycled material is a double-win, even if it does support the clown-car habit.

[Thegoblinchief]

Can't go wrong with free in this case.

[deborah]

Fantastic - how did the highway department supervisor come by - was it just luck, or because you had been inquiring?

[hernandz]

Mostly luck.

My husband was outside when the supervisor came by -- possibly he was checking in on nearby road work.  We live on a narrow street near the boat ramp and beach, so cars drive very slowly as they share the road with lots of dog owners, teenagers, and fitness buffs jogging around. However, I will say that I made him go down to town hall and inquire about permits for driveway paving, so perhaps the supt. was looking for us.

As the daughter of civil servants, and the niece of folks who got in a real pickle over unpermitted work, I don't have truck with any contractor who suggests avoiding taxes or permit fees.  We were due for a little karma.  I do hope that this solves a problem for the highway dept. as well. Presumably, it costs them money to dispose of the asphalt if it's not recycled locally.

Spent some time this morning marveling at how different it was going to the mailbox.  Facebooked 2 pictures of the crew at work.  Life is great, even if I am a little loopy.

[TomTX]

Around here, nearly 100% of asphalt is reused, either blended into new (it gets stiffer over time) or used as a base layer.