Pugwash to Have Two-Toned Streets

The Director of Engineering for Cumberland County had some good news and bad news for the Village of Pugwash. Justin Waugh-Cress says the contract to install the new water system requires the contractor to re-pave the affected streets. However, Waugh-Cress suggests it may not meet with everyone’s favour.

The engineer says the contract only requires re-paving of the side of the street that was dug up to install the pipes throughout the community. Many were hoping the streets would be fully paved for a consistent finish.

However, there is an even greater concern brewing among residents. They hope the new pavement will match the old, something the engineer says is not going to happen.

It turns out that Pugwash was originally paved with a unique aggregate, the crushed stone that is used in making asphalt, which gives the finished pavement a pink tinge. Waugh-Cress says that aggregate is no longer available so when the re-paving is done, it will be black, leaving the village with striped streets.

The quarry that provided the pinkish aggregate has long since closed and the cost of temporary access is likely prohibitive.

The news was met with a noticeable groan from village officials. Apparently, the colour of pavement was the number one question they’ve been asked by residents since the water project began construction a few weeks ago.

The project itself is going smoothly and perhaps ahead of schedule. While people are generally pleased with the project to date, the idea of striped roads, no matter how smooth, does not seem to leave people in the pink.