The Tribune

Caribbean Pavement Solutions, a subsidiary of Bahamas Striping Group of Companies, has introduced a product to rejuvenate asphalt surfaces to this nation.

The company, which was born from a $5,000 Self-Starter grant, says Rejuvaseal is designed to help preserve and protect asphalt from degradation, which results from oxidation caused by the weather, water, fuel, and other elements.

The Seahorse Plaza in Grand Bahama is the first development to use the product. Atario Mitchell, Bahamas Striping’s president, and training manager, Brian Bostock, have received training on the application process for Rejuvaseal, which increases asphalt longevity by three to five years.

Jason Kellar, technical director of Pavement Rejuvenation International, said: “Atario and his team are certified exclusively as applicators of the product for this region. It is an impressive product, and once persons can see the longevity of the curb appeal of the asphalt, it will definitely spark more interest.”

Mr Mitchell added: “The Rejuvaseal product will be an industry changer in the Bahamas because it is far more effective than the traditional sealer on the basis of the life-cycle guarantee cost of three to five years.

“A traditional sealer, which is water-based and slurry, can be found at any hardware store. It does not penetrate the asphalt, and it cannot reintroduce oils that are lost through oxidation.

“Parking lots with cracks, and those which have faded, will be repaired and will be able to have a quality finished product. Looking at the overall improvements to the shopping plaza, the owners, Milo Butler and Company, will be pleased as the resurfacing of the parking lot complements the ongoing and consistent work to reinvigorate the plaza.”

Mr Mitchell said asphalt pavements require systematic maintenance to preserve the pavement, and mitigate the wear and tear due to traffic and environmental effects.

He added that the Bahamas has more than 1,560 miles of paved roads, plus 48 airstrips, that have not been properly maintained, and will likely require asphalt rejuvenation services and repair to bring them up to standard. This is because the roads in the Bahamas deteriorate quickly due to the heavy amounts of rainfall they receive, and their limestone base.

“Our commitment and dedication to changing the modus operandi of how we approach road maintenance in the Bahamas is clear, as we have invested in a precision spraying machine which costs $80,000, which was funded by the Bahamas Venture Fund,” Mr Mitchell said.

“We are no longer a striping company; we are now a company that offers full road maintenance services that stripes roads. We can rejuvenate and provide asphaltic services at a fraction of the cost compared to traditional ripping and repaving methods, and repair pot holes.”