By Jennifer Bradley, Staff Writer
The excessive heat this summer has not prevented the continuation of local construction projects, but it has pushed the workers to take extra precautions to get the job done.
”We face these temperatures at some point every summer,” said Gary Giglio, operations manager at Arawak Paving Company. “It’s all a matter of preparation and being professional.”
Arawak Paving Company is the company heading the Wallace Road project in West Windsor. Workers are resurfacing the roadway from Alexander Road to Princeton Hightstown Road, according to Mr. Giglio. Other additions include a concrete curb, sidewalk, handicap ramps, casting replacements and improved striping and pavement reflectors.
Mr. Giglio said that almost all of the work will be done by today, and the remaining minor finishing touches, such as the road striping, will be done by the middle of next week.
According to Mr. Giglio, paving is actually easier in hot weather.
”Asphalt is hot, so everything actually works better and runs smoother when it’s hot outside,” he said. “It’s actually more difficult to work with asphalt during the winter when it’s very cold out.”
As for the construction workers, Mr. Giglio said they fight the heat with preparation and hydration.
”The workers come to work with plenty of liquids and we provide ice for them on the roadway,” he said. “That’s pretty much all we can do.”
Construction workers in Princeton seemed to agree with this approach.
”We do what any other worker would do. We just have to stay hydrated and stick it out,” said Ray Jolly, a construction worker who was driving a construction vehicle to clear tree branches on Grover Avenue in Princeton on Tuesday.
According to the Princeton Township Department of Public Works, Grover Avenue is being repaved. Other construction projects underway in Princeton are at Andrews Lane and on Rosedale Road.
Milling and paving is taking place at Rosedale Road and, according to Princeton Borough’s website, the work began on July 16 and is set to be complete by July 27.
Belgium block curbing is being installed on Andrews Lane, according to Princeton Township Public Works.
Workers were out at all of these locations during the heat wave this week.
”The heat affects how much work we can get done,” said Mr. Jolly. “Sometimes we can’t get as much done in one day.”
Mr. Jolly also said his hours do not change to avoid the hottest parts of the day during heat waves, so they just do their best to be as productive as they would if it were not as hot outside.

