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Peak Pavement Management System
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Town determine which streets to perform preservation maintenance and resurfacing?
The town contracts with a private firm every three years to obtain a pavement condition survey determining which streets need to be resurfaced, and what amount of work is required. From that report, a number of neighborhoods are selected for pavement preservation and/or asphalt resurfacing each year.
How long does asphalt pavement typically last?
The lifespan of asphalt pavement depends on a number of factors, including topography, drainage, material/construction deficiencies, utility work, expansion/contraction, traffic volume, heavy braking/turning movements, chemicals/petroleum spills, and neglect of prior preservation/maintenance. Properly maintained asphalt pavement should typically last between 20 and 30 years, or 25 years on average.
What tools does the Town use for pavement maintenance?
The town uses a wide variety of preservation methods and asphalt resurfacing in residential neighborhoods each year.
Crack Sealing - seals minor cracks to prevent water penetration into the underlying asphalt, stone, and soils. Crack sealing is generally used on streets 0-5 years old that are in relatively good condition with low distress and/or narrow crack widths. Crack sealing is a low cost preservation treatment that extends pavement life by 3-5 years and can be done in conjunction with other treatments such as slurry seals, chip seals, and microsurfacing.
Asphalt Rejuvenation - a chemical applied that penetrates the asphalt well below the surface and revitalizes and restores components of the asphalt lost during production and the natural aging process. Asphalt rejuvenation is a low cost treatment generally used on streets that are in good condition with low distress and can extend pavement life by 2-4 years.
Slurry Seal - is a surface treatment consisting of a carefully designed mixture of asphalt emulsion, fine aggregate, and water/additives that adheres firmly to the pavement and provides both an extended life and a skid-resistant texture. Slurry seals are low cost preservation treatments generally used on streets in good condition that can extend pavement life by 5-7 years. Slurry seals can also be done following crack seal or chip seal applications.
Chip Seal - is a surface treatment consisting of a layer of asphalt binder with embedded aggregate. Chip seals provide a skid resistant surface, seals cracks, and protects against further deterioration of the pavement. Chip seals are low cost and generally used on streets in fair to good condition and can extend pavement life by 5-7 years. Chip seals can also be combined with crack seals and/or followed by a slurry seal or microsurfacing.
Microsurfacing - a thin (1/4 inch) asphalt emulsion blended with finely crushed stone for traction, applied over the existing asphalt surface that preserves and protects the underlying pavement structure and provides a new driving surface. Microsurfacing is generally used on streets that are in fair condition and have low to moderate distress and narrow crack widths. Microsurfacing can extend pavement life by 6-8 years.
Asphalt Patching - removal and replacement of small areas of pavement when the remainder of the street is in relatively good condition. Patching is moderately higher cost and is generally used to address localized pavement damage due to underlying soil settlement and/or in conjunction with underground utility repairs that cannot be addressed by other pavement preservation techniques.
Asphalt Resurfacing - includes complete removal of the top layer of asphalt, asphalt patching of the worst areas of structural damage, and repaving a new top layer of asphalt surface. Asphalt resurfacing is a high cost replacement of the asphalt surface and is generally used on streets that are in fair to poor condition and have moderate to heavy distress, alligator cracking, and/or large crack widths.
What to Expect
Project Schedule
- If your neighborhood is part of the current year’s schedule, you will receive notice 1-3 days prior to the start of work.
- Weather permitting, work will take 2-4 weeks to complete each street, and will typically be performed 7 am - 5 pm, Monday through Friday.
- Pavement Preservation work (Crack Seals, Asphalt Rejuvenators, Slurry Seals, Chip Seals, or Patching) is typically performed in a single phase for each street in just 1-2 days, sometimes several streets during a single day period.
- Asphalt resurfacing is more intensive operation and includes several phases (pavement removal, patching, and resurfacing). Asphalt resurfacing also requires existing curb ramps to be brought up to current ADA/PROWAG guidelines (per federal mandate). Depending on the exact scope of work involved (and extent of sidewalk/curb ramps on each street), asphalt resurfacing can be completed in a few days or take up to a few weeks or more. It should be expected to see days without active work between each phase due to contractor / subcontractor scheduling, or inclement weather.
- First Phase - Concrete work (curb ramp retrofits, curb and gutter repairs / replacement, etc.)
- Second Phase - Removal of top layer of asphalt and / or asphalt patching.
- Third Phase - Utility adjustments (manholes, water valves, etc.) and sweeping of the street to remove all debris prior to repaving.
- Fourth Phase - Repaving of the top layer of asphalt and temporary (paint) pavement markings (where applicable). Vehicular traffic may resume on new asphalt almost immediately following installation.
- Fifth Phase - Final (thermoplastic) pavement markings (where applicable) will be installed following a longer curing period of the new asphalt. Striping must wait 2-4 weeks to ensure the surface is free of excess oils and asphalt emulsions so the thermoplastic striping adheres properly. This delay also prevents the tracking of asphalt over the surface of new pavement striping.
- Asphalt resurfacing is typically conducted on cul-de-sacs and side streets first, then primary neighborhood streets last. This is to allow the contractor to slowly move from the deepest areas of the neighborhood in an outward direction, to the main entrances. This order of operations helps to minimize damage of new asphalt by reducing the volume of heavy equipment and dump truck traffic as each street is completed.
Curb Ramp Retrofits
Per the Town’s 2022 ADA Transition Plan and in accordance with guidance from the
US Department of Justice and Federal Highway Administration, all streets being resurfaced shall include removal / replacement of any curb ramps not meeting current standards with current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Public Right of Way Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG).- In many cases, non-compliant ramps
require complete concrete removal and replacement in order to ensure they meet ADA guidelines.
- Property owners should flag any irrigation sprinkler heads / lines that are located near or next to existing sidewalks.
- While the contractor will work carefully to avoid irrigation heads / lines, any impacts to private irrigation inside public right of way are not subject to replacement by the Town (ref: Sec 18-25 of Town of Apex Code of Ordinances)
During the Project
- You will have access to your driveway at all times.
- Solid waste collection and postal delivery services will not be interrupted by this work.
- Please do not park along the street while the project is underway. If necessary, vehicles will be moved to complete the work.
- Drive slowly (5 miles per hour) if you enter a freshly paved area, and avoid turning abruptly.
- Please keep all yard debris out of the street / curb.