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Politics & Government

'Scrub Seal' Road Construction Sounds Clean, but Is it?

Will the black tarry mess fix our streets properly? What is the environmental impact?

Homeowners were thrilled when they heard nearly 60 streets would be paved throughout Novato between Aug. 29 and Sept. 6. These summer road projects are part of the Measure A and Measure B projects voted on several years ago.

The city of Novato's reviewed several paving processes and deemed the scrub seal/microsurfacing was the most cost-effective, environmentally friendly and least wasteful method. CalTrans and the city of Larkspur, among others, have used that treatment with success.

Homeowners received mailers weeks earlier that road work would be done. Workers weed-whacked the cracks in their streets and then put a clear liquid on the cracks to controls weeds.

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A month later, the weeds partially grew back and more paperwork was placed on our doorstep by Modesto-based International Surfacing Systems. ISS would be applying a liquid asphalt with a aggregate rock "chip" surface. The streets would not be closed during the scrub seal and it would take less than two hours to cure.

But on some streets, the gravel was still flying after 24 hours.

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To be fair, this was the first step in the process. A week later, the streets were to receive a microsurfacing treatment by Valley Slurry Seal and our streets were to be smooth and black in no time.

But why was the liquid asphalt running down the sides of the streets into the storm drains that clearly state "no dumping ... flows to the bay"? What environmental impact does that have?

Don't worry if you get the liquid asphalt on your car, shoes or dog. It comes off with simple dish soap or an citrus solvent.

If you have questions, see the attached brochure from the city of Novato to learn more about this procedure. If you'd really like to share your opinion, consider showing up at 7 p.m. tonight, Sept. 12, at the Novato Streetscape Maintenaince Coalition Advisory Committtee meeting. It takes place at the city corporation yard at 550 Davidson Street. Here is the agenda.

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