Allentown benefitted enormously from General Harry Trexler. Most obvious is the park system, which unfortunately has suffered continuous depreciation under Pawlowski's misguided priorities, and The Wildlands Conservancy's agenda. The General's various business interests played an important part in Allentown's prosperity. He was largely responsible for developing the West End, through his lumber, real estate and construction businesses. His connection with the Lehigh Portland Cement Company resulted in several concrete streets, which have lasted almost a hundred years.
Yesterday, Chew Street was blacktopped over the cement, which had been there since the 1920's. Nearby, Allen Street is also still cement from that era. Unlike cement which lasts forever, blacktop lasts about ten minutes; I suppose that's why they use it now.
A lot of cities and home owner's associations have this debate all the time. Usually, the higher expense of concrete tilts the argument towards blacktop. Also, with weather & time, concrete cracks appear more unsightly, whereas the potholes of blacktop can simply be filled in and paved over. Repairing concrete cracks may involve replacing first, as simply laying new concrete over often doesn't hold.
ReplyDeleteRoman concrete structures are over 2,000 years old, and many still function as bridges & aqueducts, whereas blacktop roads look like crap after ten years and require maintenance. Of course, that keeps contractors & employees happy.
Exactly right Trent Hall. Much like the PennDOT contracting plans local roads use por materials and bad methods to guaranty union work in the years to come. A few more inches of base on our highways will minimize and/or eliminate the damage we see. Just check out the base used on the Autobahn in frigid Germany.
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