Cheshire civil contractor Lane Construction Corp. has gotten what may be the most critical assignment in its 120-year history: Ensure no more potholes at Florida’s Daytona International Speedway.
NASCAR has hired Lane as repaving contractor for a new asphalt surface for the legendary 2 ½- mile oval. The track’s condition drew scrutiny during last February’s race, after a pothole appeared twice between turns 1 and 2, causing an embarrassing 2 1/2-hour delay.
Lane, which has resurfaced more than a half-dozen of NASCAR tracks — including Richmond International Raceway, Charlotte Motor Speedway and Atlanta Motor Speedway — since the late 90s, will begin work July 4, following the last scheduled race at Daytona. It is due to finish on New Year’s Day 2011.
“We’re ready to get to work to create a new smooth racing surface at Daytona.” Said Lane CEO Robert E. Alger.Â
Lane nor NASCAR gave a price tag for the job, but published reports estimate it will cost about $22 million.
Lane said a crew of 50 workers will repave the tri-oval track, skid pads, apron and pit road using 50,000 tons of asphalt from a plant temporarily erected near the speedway. Lane’s specialty race track crew will also remove all of the existing asphalt, down to the 52-year-old lime rock base.
Founded in 1890, Lane moved headquarters from Meriden in 2007.
