Concrete cutting sleep deprivation

[cgallery]

They're doing new sewer lines, curbs, sidewalks, and repaving the street around the corner from my house.

They are paving with concrete. During the day they poor the concrete. Then, starting at approx. 11:30pm, they start cutting it into tiles (for expansion/contraction and settling, I guess) with a giant concrete cutting saw.

Last night they started at 11:30 and worked until about 6:30am.

They got one block done last night. Now they will do another block tonight.

They have claimed that they can only do the cutting at night. They have said it is a quality issue.

The noise is so incredibly loud I honestly don't understand why the people that live closer have put up with it.

Any of you guys know concrete? Is there any truth that they need to do it at night?

[Popeye]

My guess is it's really a traffic congestion issue. Pat

[LinuxRandal]

My guess is it's really a traffic congestion issue. Pat

When I worked in asphalt/street work, that was it. Especially on main roads/bridges, etc. Part of the crews hated it and didn't want to work the shifts, others loved it due to the extra money from night shifts.

It makes one want to go out and start their lawnmower at midnight doesn't it?

[pelligrini]

They have claimed that they can only do the cutting at night. They have said it is a quality issue.

It's probably about the quality of the pour during the day. If it really is a quality issue.

Or it could be about the poor quality of the new cut joints, which look much better in the dark.

[dbhost]

Doesn't your community have noise ordinances? Get on the phone and insist the gentlemen in the blue uniforms that your tax dollars pay, do their jobs and cut that noise out.

Of course if this is legit, the contractor will have a noise waiver from the city, in that case, anything further I have to say would be political, so I should merely suggest ear plugs...

[cgallery]

Doesn't your community have noise ordinances? Get on the phone and insist the gentlemen in the blue uniforms that your tax dollars pay, do their jobs and cut that noise out.

I did that last time (about two weeks ago). This time they (city hall) sent a letter out saying don't bother calling, they aren't sending the men in blue, and they aren't stopping the cutting. That, the cutting has to be performed at night.

My only guess is that they are worried about cracks from shrinkage/settling and need to start cutting right away to prevent problems.

[Richard in Smithville]

It could be that if left too long, the concrete will be too hard to cut properly or as cleanly.

[gerti]

Pour in the night, cut in the day?

[gjat]

I've been around road construction for about 25 years. Quality concerns are only part of the issue. Yes, the concrete needs to set a certain amount to before putting the cuts in, and you can't wait too long or you will get cracks as the concrete cures further.
The second issue is the amount of time it takes to do a section of road. Working the 24 hour shift greatly increases the speed they can restore the road and move on. Instead of being there weeks, they can do the same in days.
Opening a concrete plant for a few pours at night is not financially practical. You'd pay 3 to 10 times as much for the concrete, depending on how many yards.
The City realizes it will get complaints just for the road being closed, dust, noise, etc., working during the day. They made the decision to get complaints for night work too and get the work done 3 times faster which is also a safety issue to have the road completed sooner.