RICHMOND, Va. — Be patient. That is the response the City of Richmond had after citizens posted photos on Facebook of what they considered an uneven and sloppy street paving job in the Fan. One Facebook post questioned why the city had not ordered cars off the street before doing road work.

When asked about the photos, Richmond Public Works spokeswoman Sharon North said the roads had not been paved. She said the photos showed that work crews were simply prepping for future paving.

“Paving is a two-step process,” North explained to the man who posted photos on Facebook. “That’s the surface preparation where they level uneven areas and apply asphalt. This is done to keep out water. During that process the road may be unsightly.”

Step two, North explained, will happen in a few weeks.

“That includes putting an emulsified asphalt over the pavement to extend its life, provide a smooth surface for drivers, and make the road look better than it does right now.”

She said cars were not asked to move during step one, but must be cleared from the road during step two.

Click here for more information about Richmond’s paving process and schedule.