The Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC) continues to be a leader in road safety and will again apply a “high-friction surface treatment” to improve traction on two significant road curves.
This year’s applications will be on Baldwin Road west of the Baldwin/Indianwood roundabout, on the Independence Twp./Orion Twp. border, and on Clarkston Road from Thistle Valley Lane to Pine Tree Road in Orion Twp.
The treatment on the Baldwin Road curve just west of the Baldwin/Indianwood roundabout is expected to start May 17 and be completed on May 22. The treatment on the Clarkson Road curves is expected to start on May 24 through May 28. The work is weather-dependent, and the schedule could change.
The technique provides a coarse, sandpaper-like surface designed to improve friction and reduce the likelihood of traffic running off the road. The process will begin with cleaning the road surface. An epoxy will then be applied followed by the application of small, coarse aggregate to the road’s surface.
The roads will remain open to traffic during the work, and flaggers will direct motorists through the work zone areas. Traffic can expect major delays. During the evenings, the roads will be completely open to traffic.
The project cost is approximately $295,000 and is 90 percent funded through a federal safety grant with the remaining amount coming from RCOC. The work will be done by Fahrner Construction Company of Saginaw.
The Federal Highway Administration continues to promote the use of this technique in areas where there are higher-than-normal numbers of vehicle run-offs (for more information, see the Federal Highway Administration website: http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/roadway_dept/pavement_friction/high_friction/.
