• Plan for temporary closures

The Town of Afton is preparing to begin several road-maintenance projects in August, including long-awaited reconstruction work on the West Alley and sealcoat work on several streets.

Town Administrator Violet Sanderson said the town is working to complete projects before school begins and traffic increases with buses and students returning to the area.

“We’re always thinking about our road projects and trying to make sure we can wrap things up before school gets started and the buses are out and kids are moving and shaking around and getting to school,” Sanderson said during an interview on the Weekday Wake-up.

RELATED: RADIO INTERVIEW WITH VIOLET SANDERSON – 

The most significant project is work on the West Alley, where contractors were expected to begin removing the existing asphalt, chip seal and other accumulated surface materials on Monday, August 10. Sanderson explained crews would first work down to the subsurface, then return in the following weeks to rebuild the roadway and install rolling curbs for drainage.

“They’ll kind of get to a subsurface point … and then they’ll come back in the next couple of weeks and start putting things back down and then laying the rolling curb in for drainage that we’ll have through there,” she said.

Sanderson stated the project will change how the alley is used and improve drivability through the area.

“Pretty soon people might be able to drive through there,” she remarked.

In addition to the West Alley project, the town has scheduled sealcoat work on multiple streets. Residents can expect closures or traffic impacts on the following dates:

– Jefferson Street from Fourth Avenue to Second Avenue: August 12

– Dr. Perks and Adams Street: August 13

– Adams Street from First Avenue to Fourth Avenue: August 13

– Adams Street and Hospital Lane area: August 14

– East Third Avenue from Washington Street to Madison Street: August 14

Sanderson encouraged residents to check the town’s online maps and social-media updates for project dates, affected areas and possible alternate routes.

“We do have the maps showing the dates and times of these things affected listed on our website under our streets tab,” she said. “We did also kind of put out a blast on Facebook with the link to those maps as well.”

The West Alley construction schedule is not yet final, but Sanderson said town staff met with contractors during a pre-construction meeting and expect to provide more detailed updates as plans are finalized.

“As we have more information and a more strict schedule, we’ll be posting that out as well for people to understand,” she shared.

The road work comes as Afton continues planning other infrastructure and community-development efforts, including the South Waterline project. Sanderson said that project will remain in the planning phase through the fall and early spring, with requests for proposals anticipated early next spring.