Guelph-Eramosa council approved $107,946 for the purchase of a machine to pulverize and recycle asphalt on township roads – but not before a lengthy discussion last week.
Public Works Manager Ken Gagnon told council he was impressed by a May 23 demonstration of Asphalt Zipper Inc.’s unit.
The 185-horsepower machine, which has a four-foot cutter width, pulverized 0.6km – or 2,156 cubic metres of asphalt – of 2nd Line East near Ariss, in less than two hours.
The cost for the work on that road, widely regarded as one of the worst in the township, was $687 – at least $8,562 cheaper than both the traditional method of removing asphalt as well as contracting the pulverizing work out to another company.
“It quickly became apparent that using an Asphalt Zipper on any internal job that required saw cutting, breaking, loading, and hauling away of old asphalt would significantly reduce job costs and man hours,” Gagnon said in his report to council.
In fact, Gagnon concluded the total cost for the zipper machine would be recovered in just 8.69 lane kilometres, plus additional savings in labour and equipment hours on every job for which the unit is used.
“These savings will translate into more productivity and a higher level of safety and comfort for residents who utilize the township’s roads,” he said.
But not everyone was convinced.
Councillor Roger Knapp, who has experience in the paving business, called the machine “a temporary method,” and said the potholes on 2nd Line will likely be back next spring.
“It’s $100,000 for a pothole patcher that won’t work,” Knapp said.
He explained the warranty on the unit will not cover wear on most parts, and the teeth on the machine, which cost $5 each, break all the time.
Gagnon replied that the township already pays contractors to do its pulverizing now, and it makes little sense to pay others to do work the township could do on its own at a much cheaper price.
He added the asphalt zipper would be used for short stretches of roads – jobs from which companies often shy away.
The rest of council liked the idea of buying the machine.
Mayor Chris White agreed it is a “Band-Aid solution,” but said it is perfect for roads that otherwise would get no immediate attention at all.
“This road was a liability,” White said, referring to the 2nd Line, adding that school buses often veered into the other lane to avoid the huge potholes on that road. The mayor said the asphalt zipper is a temporary solution to improve roads that would soon be due for reconstruction anyway.
Councillor Reta Moyer agreed.
“This is the answer to those emergency fixes,” she said, adding she likes that the machine can work on one side of the road while allowing traffic to get through on the other.
Councillor Doug Breen stated that, based on costs for similar road work in other areas, all the machine has to do is last one full day to pay for itself.
“It seems to me the math works,” Breen said, even if the machine doesn’t last that long.
Council passed a resolution to purchase the machine for a total cost of $107,946 and to transfer that amount from the township’s working fund reserve to cover the cost.
The resolution passed by a 3-1 vote, with only Knapp opposed.
