The Utah Department of Transportation changed its specification for asphalt used on Tooele City’s Main Street to allow crews to continue paving in colder weather, a state official said.
UDOT originally set the temperature specification at 60 degrees Fahrenheit, but lowered it to 40 degrees so road crews could continue working on the state’s $25.5 million SR-36 Renewed project, said Carlye Sommers, UDOT public involvement manager.
The quality of asphalt laid in 40-degree weather is not necessarily any less than asphalt laid in 60-degree weather, according Tooele City Engineer Paul Hansen.
“They have to take extra steps to put it down at 40, but it can be done well and last for a long time,” he said.
The state planned to resume laying new pavement in the southbound lanes between 100 South and 520 South today, but the work is weather-dependent, Sommers said.
“I would love for us to have the road completely paved with no open sections [by Thanksgiving],” she said. “I still think that’s very doable because even if we don’t finish this weekend, it looks like Monday and Tuesday will be warm enough as well.”
Once UDOT’s goal of covering all dirt and gravel is met, crews will work on laying a second pavement layer. The paving work will continue as long as the weather forecast holds at 40 degrees or warmer. Workers will also continue to place concrete curbs and gutters, Sommers said.
At press time today, the National Weather Service predicted mostly sunny or sunny weather in Tooele Friday through Sunday, with highs ranging from 39 to 44 degrees.