Street crews prepare for overlay, save bricks

Fulton Street Department crews prepare Ravine Street for an asphalt street overlay project this summer at the intersection of East Fifth.
Fulton Street Department crews prepare Ravine Street for an asphalt street overlay project this summer at the intersection of East Fifth.

Fulton Street Department crews have prepared the intersection of Ravine and East Fifth streets for asphalt overlay project this summer.

Crews on Thursday and Friday began removing a narrow strip of brick in the southbound lane on the western half of Ravine Street at the intersection.

The change makes it possible to have a smooth intersection when the asphalt overlay project is completed this summer.

A temporary patch of asphalt was installed at the intersection to prevent a drop off for motorists.

When the overlay project on the street begins this summer, the intersection will be milled down and tapered to prevent a sharp drop-off.

Then the asphalt overlay later will provide a smooth finish when the overlay project is completed.

The small number of bricks removed from western half of the intersection are stored by the Street Department in order have spare bricks available when needed for other downtown repairs when brick is removed and then replaced.

The Ravine Street project is part of an overall $492,00 street asphalt overlay program announced earlier this month for 20 Fulton streets.

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.