A new chip-and-seal road paving machine has been tested in Anguilla as the government prepares to roll out the technology to improve roads across the island.
A demonstration took place on Judge Gumbs Road in The Valley, where a test section was laid using the purpose-built machine that applies bitumen and aggregate simultaneously.
The technology is expected to speed up road construction and provide more durable surfaces as the programme expands into communities throughout Anguilla.
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The project is being delivered through a partnership between the government and Anguillian engineering consulting firm Synergy Consultancy, which demonstrated the machine during the trial.
Jerome Richardson, managing director of Synergy Consultancy, who was on hand during the day said the demo went “pretty well”, adding: “We’re very excited about the outcome.”
Government officials described the test as the first step in a phased rollout.
Infrastructure minister Jose Vanterpool said the chip-and-seal programme will enable the government to make a greater difference in communities across the island.
“Rather than just putting down marl or dirt, we want to be able to come and give you a drivable road that will last the test of time,” he said.
“We look forward to the success, not only of this test road, but for the many roads to come, as we continue to impact our communities by putting our people first.”
Parliamentary secretary Cordell Richardson said he was pleased to see the programme get underway, adding that the technology was both impressive and efficient.
“It’s real opportunity where we’ll be able to come to a lot of different communities and pave a lot of roads in a fast manner,” he added.
Premier Cora Richardson-Hodge said she was pleased the equipment had arrived on the island and looked forward to more dirt roads being upgraded using the chip-and-seal method.
“It dries very quickly, it’s very easy to use and so we’re very excited,” she said, adding: “Once we do this test road, then we’ll start to roll it out through other roads across the island.”
A chip-and-seal road, also known as chip seal or tar-and-chip, is a road surface created by spraying a layer of bitumen (or asphalt emulsion) and covering it with a layer of aggregate (stone chips).
The full process involves sweeping the road clean, spraying a thin layer of asphalt emulsion, spreading stone chips, compacting them with rollers, and removing any loose aggregate the following day.
It is a cost-effective way to preserve older roads, seal cracks and prevent water damage compared to full asphalt overlays, although it can sometimes leave some loose gravel and create a noisier driving surface.
Watch the chip-and-seal machine in action below:
