McKeesport is playing host to a pilot program that could extend the life of local paving projects.
Dr. SealGood, located along Hillview Street in the city, is bringing the E-Krete micro-overlay to Pennsylvania roads. The protective coating, created by Polycon, is intended to preserve asphalt pavement by protecting it from environmental exposure and abrasion.
"It's brand new to Pennsylvania," said Dawn Leeper of Dr. SealGood. "We're bringing it to the state as a distributor, and we're hoping to get other independent contractors certified (to use the product). It would bring green blue-collar jobs to the region and to the state."
Leeper described E-Krete as an environmentally friendly micro-overlay that can be applied over new asphalt, oxidized asphalt and spalled or roller-compacted concrete. It is not an oil-based product.
Dr. SealGood has used the substance in commercial and residential projects to coat parking lots and driveways. And on Wednesday, the company brought its tools and experience to Marshall Drive Extension in McKeesport.
Local officials and public works employees watched as a Dr. SealGood crew spread and brushed the overlay onto the recently paved Marshall Drive Extension. It was the crew's first time using E-Krete on a public roadway.
Leeper said the use of E-Krete in local paving projects would be a "win-win" scenario, as it would save paving costs by extending road life and it would reduce the environmental impact of exposed coal tar or harsh chemical sealants.
"We want to make this product available to everyone," Leeper said. "We're into paving green and saving green."
Public works director Nick Shermenti said Leeper's thoughts are right on target.
"If this works," Shermenti said, "we're looking to coat some of the streets in the city that we've paved within the last two or three years to extend their life."
McKeesport Mayor James Brewster echoed Shermenti's assessment, adding that every community wants to get the most out of paving projects because preserving quality work makes funds available to take on additional jobs.
Brewster said he's proud to have Dr. SealGood working in McKeesport.
"To have a state-of-the-art process like this in McKeesport is a real tribute to the city," he said. "It's nice to have this company in town and to have them donating their time and service."
Coating Marshall Drive Extension with the E-Krete micro-overlay was completed at no cost to the city.
For more information on Dr. SealGood, go to the company's website at www.drsealgoodpa.com. For more on E-Krete, go to www.polyconmfg.com.
