ASHLAND — Application of a “rejuvenating agent” could mean an extended service life for asphalt streets around Ashland.
Reclamite restores the reactive maltene components asphalt pavements lose due to “hot-plant operations and the subsequent field aging process,” according to Pavement Technology, Inc.
The agent penetrates asphalt surfaces to protect against air and water intrusion.
Ashland lawmakers on Tuesday unanimously approved entering into a contract with PTI for the application of Reclamite on about 60 streets within the city. Ohio Revised Code allows political subdivisions to participate in contracts procured by the Ohio Department of Transportation — which is the case in this situation.
Mayor Matt Miller said Reclamite tends to extend the service life of asphalt by five or more years.
“Today it’s estimated that when we put down new asphalt, if conditions are right and the mix was correct and it was installed in the right conditions, we anticipate that our asphalt will last 10 to 12 years,” Miller said. “When we come right back through a year later and put down this asphalt rejuvenator, we’re hoping to extend that by five, six, seven years.”
According to the legislation, the final cost of the city’s contract with PTI will be based on the number of gallons applied at a rate of $32.81 per gallon — not to exceed $200,000.
Considering the cost of asphalt installation, Miller said $200,000 to apply Reclamite to 60 streets within the city is a good investment. Citing an example, he said the city’s pavement program this summer will come in around $2.2 million for fresh asphalt on portions of nearly 85 streets.
“It (Reclamite) does change the color of the pavement, but not drastic or any way that is obnoxious. It’s worth the investment,” the mayor said.
The 60 streets the city plans to apply the asphalt rejuvenator to were the streets involved in last year’s pavement program.
U.S. 250 resurfacing improvements
City lawmakers also approved a contract with ODOT for resurfacing improvements along a portion of U.S. 250 which runs through city limits.
The particular stretch of U.S. 250 is located on the east side of Ashland, particularly the east side of the I-71 corridor, Miller said. The resurfacing work will cost the city $93,306.
“I think it makes sense for us to do it while they have all their equipment there,” he said.
In other action Tuesday, City Council:
— approved advertising for bids for a culvert replacement along Valentine Valley Drive.
— adopted the city tax budget for the fiscal year beginning Jan. 1, 2027.
— issued “then-and-now” certificates for expenditures in the fire and engineering divisions. Finance Director Larry Paxton said these were anticipated expenditures. A retirement within the fire division caused a change in administrative assistants, which led to these expenditures falling “in the crack” during the shift in personnel.
— amended appropriations for calendar year 2026 in relation to a pair of city projects. This action allows Ashland to complete the purchase of an 120-acre property, to be developed for future housing. It also clears the way for the city to continue its efforts to complete the future Lincoln Park, Paxton said.
“This is new money that we’re appropriating or money that was held in the (Community Development) Block Grant fund with grant money coming in to do that project,” Paxton said.
— approved a request from Guenther Mechanical to install additional barbed wire fencing on its property for security purposes at 1248 Middle Rowsburg Road.
Miller said Guenther Mechanical has installed a fence along the west side of its property and has requested the city’s permission to add barbed wire to this fencing.
“They say in the past they have had theft take place at their site. Of course it’s a construction company, so it’s got construction equipment and materials,” Miller said. “The existing fence that they have behind their property on Middle Rowsburg Road is a chain linked fence with barbed wire.”
— approved a residential garage reconstruction and expansion at 945 Grove Ave., which is located in an area zoned M-2 Heavy Industrial.
