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The state Department of Transportation's plan to use a one-inch-thick hot mix overlay, rather than the current standard resurfacing, for an approximately seven-mile stretch of Interstate 99 between Newry Borough and Altoona's 17th Street is built on good intentions.
The proposal would save millions of dollars over its projected life of eight to 10 years.
Yet, perhaps, that savings prospect might not be benefit enough. Good judgment suggests questioning whether the innovative resurfacing option being proposed really would be the proverbial slam-dunk that current cost figures by themselves seem to indicate.
First, road construction costs are destined to continue increasing, so the estimated costs per mile upon which PennDOT currently is basing its decision might be far from reality not far into the future.
Next, a question that requires considerable thought at this time is whether new highways progress in the future should be sacrificed --delayed -- at the "altar" of first having to redo what already is in place, due to much quicker deterioration than what generally occurs under the current standard resurfacing method.
Finally, there is the issue of traffic volume and of what that volume consists.
Anyone who can recall what the 1950s-60s were like -- when I-99 did not exist to carry both local and thru traffic through the Altoona area -- is well aware of how the constant pounding by traffic of all sizes negatively affected the then-most-major routes such as Sixth and Seventh avenues, Plank Road and Pleasant Valley and Valley View boulevards.
And, what must be kept in mind is that traffic volume in those days was but a fraction of what currently passes Altoona northbound and southbound because of the availability of I-99.
It is correct to assume that traffic volume of all kinds will continue to increase as Altoona and its environs continue to experience growth.
Altoona should not be exposed to the possibility of a horrific, pothole-filled interstate highway nightmare like the state of Indiana was experiencing in late summer 2013 regarding Interstate 70.
The life of the current standard resurfacing -- 12 to 14 years -- is much better than the eight to 10 years of hot mix when considerations like the above are factored in.
According to an April 13 Mirror article, the one-inch-thick hot mix overlay that PennDOT intends to use for the approximately seven miles in question will cost an estimated $4.2 million, while standard resurfacing, which consists of milling the old pavement, then topping it with 2.5 inches of asphalt, would cost $10.5 million.
That would represent a nice savings if the hot-mix surface would not require sooner-than-anticipated repairs, but the question now is how well it will be able to escape that fate.
If it does not, other worthy projects might have to be put on hold indefinitely in order for the miles in question to be redone, and the originally hopeful prospects fueled by initial savings might evaporate.
PennDOT is accomplishing so much in terms of general improvements and implementation of specific safety measures. It should not allow erosion of that positive record by something already acknowledged as less durable over the long run.
The best alternative would be for PennDOT to shift hot mix to some well-traveled highways of lesser importance and less heavy truck traffic than Interstate 99.