Milling drums scrape off the top couple inches of asphalt.
Photo credit: Joan Gaylord

It may be a rough ride heading out to the beach this weekend. Gregory Boulevard, the main artery to Norwalk’s Calf Pasture Beach, has been scraped down in preparation for repaving. The process, which will take a couple days because of the size of the road, leaves manhole covers and other road features elevated. Drivers, especially motorcyclists, should use extra care with weekend traffic.

Crews moved through on Friday with milling machines that removed the top couple inches of asphalt, leaving behind the abraded surface. About 10 to 15 percent of the material will be recycled into the new asphalt mixture that will be used to pave the road, said Jim Donahue, a junior engineer with the city. Donahue was on-hand Friday afternoon keeping an eye on the progress. He said he expects paving to begin on Wednesday of this coming week.

Gregory Boulevard is the latest in the city’s efforts to resurface some of the major roads in town. Though repaving is an annual project, Hal Alvord, the director of public works for Norwalk, said last year’s harsh winter meant extra work this summer repairing the streets.