Crack Sealing

Crack sealing is an annual program performed by Street Maintenance. Streets which are 2 to 10 years old or included as part of the annual chip seal program are evaluated and crack sealed each year. The process involves widening the cracks out, blowing the cracks clean, pouring liquid asphalt into them, and then placing a biodegradable paper product over the asphalt to allow for vehicle traffic.

Approximately 600,000 lineal feet of cracks are sealed annually, using 120,000 lbs. of liquid asphalt.

Chip Sealing

The annual chip seal program is undertaken to seal the surface and extend the life of the street. All streets included in the program are first crack sealed and repaired. Streets which have been paved with hot bituminous concrete, are at least 12 years old, and have a pavement condition index (PCI) of 50 or greater are potential streets to be included in the program. Approximately 10 to 15 miles of streets are chip sealed each year.

The process involves placing an application of emulsified oil followed by a covering of 3/8'' fractured washed gravel chips. The excess chips are swept up within one to two weeks. Some streets may be chip sealed again after 7 to 10 years if necessary.