Dateline: Sept. 19, 2024

River Road is once again a pleasant drive thanks to the efforts of Advanced Excavating & Paving who submitted the winning bid to the Allenstown Highway Department. This bid was then approved by the Selectmen.

The old asphalt roadway was reclaimed down to the gravel and a base coat was applied during August. Even the short length of Horse Harness Rd. was repaved. Driveway aprons were blended in and the road edges were filled in with gravel.

The paving project started at the bridge over Boat Meadow Brook, just north of the St. Jean Baptiste Cemetery.

Starting at Boat Meadow Brook

Passing the new Allenstown Community School

Passing Dodge Rd. and Harness Horse Rd. (AKA Horse Harness Rd.) which was also repaved to Route 28

Ending at the curve leading to Route 28

Road Agent Chad Pelissier stated that bids were due back in February. The Selectmen picked Advanced Excavating & Paving as having the best bid. Slightly over one mile of road was paved with a 2-inch layer of 3/4-inch binder as a base coat.

The cost was $81.45/ton of asphalt for a total cost of $199,931 for River Rd. and Horse Harness Rd. Funding came from the Highway Dept. budget and a capital reserve fund. This amount did not include drainage work done by the Highway Dept.

The road will be allowed to settle over the winter. A finish coat will be scheduled next year after the 2025 Highway budget is approved.

What You Can Do

Take a leisurely drive along River Road. Put an oldies or bluegrass CD in the stereo. Stay close to the speed limit (maybe a tad over, maybe a tad under) and enjoy a low stress trip with little traffic and no heavy trucking. Wave to the chickens if they're out. It's almost like driving North Pembroke Rd. but closer to downtown and without the hills.

Also consider thanking the Highway Dept. for its continued efforts to maintain the roads around our town.

Photos by Michael Frascinella