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Will a street wear out?
Yes, traffic (cars and especially heavy trucks) and weather (sunshine, rain, etc.) deteriorates the condition of a street with time. Without proper maintenance, the negative effects (cracking and potholes) of traffic and weather will increase with time. The result is a street with lots of cracks and potholes that when in a vehicle rides rough. During your travels, you may have noticed a small crack in the asphalt that grown into a pothole. Without maintenance, a street will wear and age to a point where it has little value, and will in need of reconstruction. Total reconstruction of a street is a timely and expensive process when compared to an asphalt overlay. The good news is-that with Preventative Maintenance the costly reconstruction scenario can be avoided. The City currently uses different Preventative Maintenance options such as a crack sealing, chip sealing, overlays and hot in-place recycling. These different techniques are used to extend the useful life of a street in a cost-effective manner.
Overlay
An overlay is a preventive maintenance technique included in the City's Street Rehabilitation Program. This service is contracted to a private construction company and managed by the City. An asphalt overlay generally consists rotomilling (removal of) approximately 1 ½ to 2 inches of existing pavement and replacement with new asphalt pavement materials.
The number of streets included in this annual program varies with the nature of the work to be performed annually. Each year's projects are selected based on street system priorities.
Prior to the start of construction, door hangers will be distributed to all residences informing them when construction is expected to start. Additionally, "NO PARKING" signs will be placed at least 24 hours prior to any work to be performed.
Crack Seal Program
Crack sealing is a preventive maintenance treatment included in the City's Street Rehabilitation Program. Crack sealing seals pavement cracks, preventing further deterioration of the street. Studies indicate that crack sealing programs are cost effective in extending the life of pavement as opposed to the cost of extensive pavement repairs for streets left unsealed.
The City's Crack Seal Program includes residential and arterial roadways. Private contracted companies and the City Streets maintenance section will complete the yearly crack seal projects.
Prior to the start of construction, door hangers will be distributed to all residences informing them when construction is expected to start. Additionally, "NO PARKING" signs will be placed at least 24 hours prior to any work to be performed.
Chip Seal Program
Chip sealing is a preventive maintenance treatment included in the City's Street Rehabilitation Program. This procedure rejuvenates old asphalt and creates a new riding surface. Chip seals reduce pavement deterioration such as potholes and extends the life of the street.
Chip sealing is the application of crushed aggregate or gravel (chips) over an emulsified asphaltic oil. The oil seals the street from water penetration while the chips provides a wearing surface for traffic.
Prior to the start of construction, door hangers will be distributed to all residences informing them when construction is expected to start. Additionally, "NO PARKING" signs will be placed at least 24 hours prior to any work to be performed.
Reconstruction
When a roadway has deteriorated beyond the point where an overlay would provide benefit, total reconstruction of a street is considered. Reconstruction involves the removal of all-existing pavements and replacement with all new materials. This process is expensive and the goal of preventative maintenance is to delay or avoid reconstruction.