View - The Municipality of Lambton Shores

The original asphalt patch was placed due to a frost heave in the road. This
points to an issue with the road bedding material, and if a heave and/or
settlement has occurred in this location this will continue to happen.
Ground vibration is a natural occurrence happening all the time. The testing
showed that the vibrations that occur when traffic is present is no higher than the
background vibration of the area. This does not mean that individuals will not feel
vibrations because each person is different and able to perceive vibrations at
differing intensities (think of the person who lives beside railway tracks and
doesn’t notice the train passing by compared to their neighbor that has a to move
out of the area because it is causing a negative impact to their lifestyle).
There are many ways by which ground vibrations can be amplified in a home.
Sewer laterals have been known to amplify vibrations and affect a home; the
building foundation could be in poor condition thus amplifying perceived
vibrations; particular pieces of furniture in the home have been known to amplify
vibrations; etc. As notes in their first report, the senior AMEC representative
confirmed that the method to determine the true cause is detailed monitoring in
the home.
Asphalt Repair Options
Council has directed staff to investigate the cost and viability of fixing the current asphalt
patch in front of 60 Main Street South. A site visit reveals that there are in fact three
separate locations in front of this property that are patched (see attached picture), and
in each case the patched joints are not flush with the original pavement (settlement of
approximately 0.5 inches). As a result, each of the patches may be contributing to the
perceived vibration. There is a risk that if only the patch identified by the complainant is
replaced vibrations may continue to be perceived as the other patches may in fact be
the cause.
Two possible asphalt repair options are presented:
1. Repair only the patch identified by the complainant
Mill asphalt with a 3 m wide, angle cut patch. This work would involve:
Mill 8 square meters to 2” depth, mill 16 square meters to 4” depth.
Pave 8 square meters at 2” thickness, pave 16 square meters at 4”
thickness.
Lapped and sealed joints to prevent asphalt heaving/settling.
Cost: $5,000 based on estimates received from local paving contractors.
The primary concern with this option is that two other patches will remain in the
same area, and if there is not a resolution to the perceived vibration then it is
reasonable to expect the municipality will be asked to repair those patches as
well. In addition, because heave and settlement has already occurred at this
location it is reasonable to expect this behavior to continue. As a result, the
concern may emerge again.
117