DPW Roadwork Information

Resurfacing Methods for Township Roads

If you arrive while road work is underway, please consult a crew member who will be attending the road instruction.

Overlay:

Overlays consist of laying a new asphalt pavement over the existing pavement to provide skid resistance, aesthetics, to restore an impervious surface, and to add structural support. Overlays are usually utilized on older, cracked roadways in poor condition which can no longer be maintained through another process.

Prior to paving the contractor will use a specialized milling machine mounted to a “bobcat” to create a shallow trench called a “keyway” across the road at the limits of construction. Be careful and drive slowly while crossing the keyway.

The contractor will spray diluted asphalt called “tack” on the road as a glue immediately before paving. Try to avoid driving though the tack, a member of the construction crew can help you navigate. Immediately after the tack is applied the crew will pave the road a first time with a coarse pavement (for strength) followed by a second paving with a smooth final surface. Typically paving will be performed on one lane at a time, the crew can help you navigate the work area.

If you need to leave your driveway please try to do so before the paving machine passes your driveway. After the machine passes you will have to wait several minutes until the roadway is rolled sufficiently and you may cause permanent damage to the new pavement.

The contractor will return at a later date to seal where the new road meets non-concrete driveways.

Mill & Overlay:

Mill & overlays consist of removal of the deteriorated existing pavement followed by the laying of a new asphalt pavement to provide skid resistance, aesthetics, to restore an impervious surface, and to add structural support. This method is usually utilized on older, cracked roadways in poor condition which can no longer be maintained by another process and where removal of the existing pavement is required.

The contractor will use a specialized milling machine to grind away the existing roadway and curb to a depth of 2-3” in order to remove deteriorated asphalt, re-establish crown, and minimize elevation issues with driveways and roof leaders. During milling the roadway will be restricted to one lane which the crew can help you navigate, typically there will be no disruption to travel. After milling the road will be broomed clean and vacuum-swept. Until the road is paved you will have to take special care to enter or exit your driveway slowly and avoid sewer inlets, manholes, and valve boxes which may be sticking-up in the roadway.

Usually the following day the contractor will spray diluted asphalt called “tack” on the road as a glue immediately before paving. Try to avoid driving though the tack, a member of the construction crew can help you navigate. Immediately after the tack is applied the crew will pave the road a first time with a coarse pavement (for strength) followed by a second paving with a smooth final surface.

If you need to leave your driveway please try to do so before the paving machine passes your driveway. After the machine passes you will have to wait several minutes until the roadway is rolled sufficiently and you may cause permanent damage to the new pavement.

The contractor will return at a later date to seal where the new road meets non-concrete driveways.

Sealcoat:

The sealcoat process starts when a distributor truck with a large tank and dozens of spray nozzles applies a coat of polymer-modified asphalt emulsion to the roadway. A computer controlled spreader follows the distributor and applies a layer of fine aggregate to the roadway which is then rolled to embed the aggregate into the emulsion.

The sealcoat is used on structurally sound pavements that are dry, raveled, cracked, or oxidized in order to correct these defects and to restore a waterproof membrane and high traction surface. The sealcoat may also be used on heavily distressed pavement in order to temporarily restore ride quality and seal the road until more extensive rehabilitation can be performed.

Roads receiving a sealcoat are generally closed to traffic during construction. Care should be taken after the sealcoat is constructed do drive slowly until the roadway has cured and the unbound aggregate has been swept. Orange “loose gravel” signs will be in-place to alert you to be cautious.

Crack Sealing:

Crack sealing is used on roads that are in very good to good condition but where crack patterns have developed. The contractor will use compressed air and other methods to clean the cracks and will then seal the cracks with a bituminous (tar) mixture.

Crack sealing is the most cost-effective method of preserving roads with the goal of keeping the cracks from multiplying or worsening which would occur if water was permitted to continue entering the cracks. Crack sealing becomes inappropriate when the road reaches a certain level of deterioration and therefore the Municipality will typically only crack seal a road once before it is overlaid or sealcoated again.