The Peru Gazette

By John T Ryan

Peru -A few days ago, the Peru Highway Department paved 10,475 feet of Mannix Rd. Weather permitting, on Thursday, July 6. the highway department will shim Mannix Rd from where the new pavement leaves off to Patent Rd.

Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell describes shimming as “Applying a thin layer of asphalt that usually starts at nothing at the center of the road and is around one inch thick near the shoulder. It covers the wheel ruts, fills the potholes, and saves us from doing this step next year before mainline paving.” Farrell said it would be smooth. Recalling last year when the asphalt strips he laid down were not smooth, Farrell stated, “Last year it was late, it was actually snowing and I had three roads to try and cover the potholes before winter, and very little money left to do it. It was a band aide to get us by.”

The John Boswell Road is next on Farrell’s schedule. After changing a few culverts, his department will pave about one-half of the road and shim the remainder. Next year he plans to pave the shimmed portion.