ROCHELLE — Crews have begun paving the stretch of brick road on 11th Street between Lincoln and Sixth avenues, and on Fourth Avenue between 11th and 12th streets this week.
Tim Isley, superintendent of streets said the brick pavement had been patched numerous times over the years, resulting in the blacktop not sticking for long. He also indicated the road base underneath is in poor shape.
“It is failing, that’s why they are so many dips in the road, especially around the curb edges. Even patching it here and there it ended up settling in a spot next to it. We were always chasing it.”

Isley said a resident in the area had voiced concerns with the overall condition of the brick roads. The resident reportedly garnered signatures from all but two people and presented it to the city.
Isley said the asphalt overlayment is expected to last about five years and will make the road safe for vehicles and pedestrians. The city plans to remove the brick road entirely sometime down the road, but a timeline has not been determined. He also said there could be an opportunity to salvage the bricks at that time.
“We are planning to remove the road and rebuild it entirely new. This will probably include new sewers and water main,” Isley said.