The $1.6 million street overlay project in Covington got under way this week as streets surrounding St. Scholastica Academy were the first to receive attention.

Councilman Lee Alexius said SSA’s streets got first priority because every street surrounding the school was on the list and the school has no other access streets that can be used.

In general, streets surrounding schools have first priority, in part because of the dense daily traffic surrounding the schools, said Alexius.

Access streets to St. Scholastica Academy, including this section of South Massachusetts Avenue from Boston Street to Rutland Street, are the first of many streets that will undergo patching and repaving this fall. (Staff Photo by Debbie Glover)

Funding for the project is coming from two sources: growth management funds and the city budget.

At previous City Council meetings, city officials explained that growth management funds can only be used in certain cases but include streets that are main arteries for schools, day care centers and other institutions.

Two types of resurfacing will be done throughout the city: overlay and soil cement. The overlay process is much more involved and is being done to streets that need more in depth work. Overlaid streets will have first priority.

According to a list provided by Tony Ricks, construction manager for Pinnacle Engineering, the prioritized list of street overlays are East 21st Avenue from East Rutland Street to South Jahncke Avenue; East Rutland Street from North Vermont Street to South Massachusetts Street; South Massachusetts Street from Boston Street to East 20th Avenue; East 19th Avenue from South Jahncke Avenue to South Jefferson Avenue; South Madison Street from West 15th Avenue to West 17th Avenue; West 11th Avenue from South Jackson Street to South Madison Street; and West 14th Avenue from South Jefferson Avenue to South Madison Street.

About 3600 square yards of patching, the first step in the process; and 34,500 square yards of milling, the second phase of the process, will be done on the overlaid streets. In addition, about 286 cubic yards of shoulder adjustment will be done for the 17,188 feet of road that will be overlaid.

In the soil cement process, 14,123 feet of roadway will be resurfaced, including the use of 4,640 tons of 3-inch thick asphalt and 31,262 square yards of 8-1/2 inch 8 percent soil cement. Shoulders on the soil cement roads will use about 235.5 cubic yards to adjust asphalt heights from street to shoulder.

Ricks said factors such as weather and temperature can influence the timetable. Asphalt can not be laid during rainy weather or temperatures under 40 degrees Farenheit. The asphalt is so warm, the sudden cool water from a rain or colder temperatures will cause the asphalt to buckle or warp.

While a timetable for completion of the project is tentative, it will be about six months before the entire project is complete, said Ricks. Patching alone will probably take between 45-60 days. An extension may be required if weather conditions warrant, said Ricks.