Wax Road reconstruction causes lengthy closures; mayor urges drivers to use detours

Mayor Evans told the council on June 10 that the Wax Road reconstruction is an extensive five‑month project that is causing intermittent full closures and extended delays, and he urged residents to use alternate routes while the work is underway.

The project uses a reconstruction method in which crews grind the existing pavement, fold the material, establish a new base, and place an interlayer of small aggregate before final asphalt paving. “They're grinding 12 inches of lane, then taking road graders and bulldozers and folding that 12 inches over into the other lane,” the mayor said, and contractors have been closing the road for rolling operations. He said the contractor’s closure windows were meant to be about 15 minutes but have sometimes lasted longer, causing backups on Sullivan and neighboring streets.

Mayor Evans said the design includes an interlayer intended to reduce deflection cracking and that the contractor will put a limestone interlayer before final paving. He estimated the project would take about five months and said the contractor’s schedule is 95 working days excluding rain, holidays and weekends. The mayor said the city has urged DOTD and the contractor to post detour signage and to reduce closure times so traffic will clear faster. He also said he is pressing for longer daily work periods to accelerate completion.

Council members asked about official detours and signage. The mayor said DOTD controls detours for the contract but the city has requested more visible messaging and asked residents to limit nonessential trips through the corridor. He also listed other upcoming road projects expected to be bid within months, including work on Tanglewood, Bellingrath, Welcome Heights Drive, Winchester subdivision and Bondicke Drive.

Mayor Evans acknowledged the inconvenience but said the finished roadway will have a stronger base and smoother riding surface when completed.