road work, still

Ok, done with breakfast.

Here's what happened between the guys shoveling gravel and the concrete in place.

First, the empty spot, all neat and even; rebar ready to go. Is the wood for a purpose, or random? Does it signify, that the two almost-squares are pretty much lined up? Who knows.








A couple more mise en scene shots.

They say Michigan has two seasons -- winter, and orange barrels............








Ok, having considered the longer view, and having given orange barrels at least as much attention as they are due, we will go to work.

* * *

Concrete all poured when we got home from work.











We note that there is a considerable gap between the new concrete and the old street, and that the level of the street is a lot higher than the new concrete, too.

I was pondering the meaning of the banana peel, in the greater scheme of things, and then decided maybe it was just for scale?






We'll consider the question overnight. Or not.

In the morning (at 7:02), the jackhammering is across the street. They are removing several squares of sidewalk, and digging a really deep ditch, to prepare for the enormous Ann Arbor standard curb cut, which isn't really a curb cut, but a whole production. I'll show you, after they are done with it.

We are pleased to note that the end of the driveway now has gravel to bridge the gap between the new concrete and the old street. We wonder when we can drive on it (new concrete does not want cars on it for ... a while ... and we surely don't want to cause any damage which might make all this necessary, yet again, any sooner than otherwise!!!).







However much we abhor the noise (and the hour at which it begins!), we cannot fault these guys on speed. They are hustling right along. Trash the existing pavement, clean up the mess, build the forms, add the gravel, pour the concrete. Disappear (eat lunch?).

Happily, before they disappeared, it occurred to me to hustle on out there and ask just when it was ok to drive into the driveway, and even more happily, they said it was fine any time now, as the concrete has had two days to cure.

Good.