Austin Public Works administers street repairs throughout the summer months when the climate is hot and dry, making conditions ideal for the treatment to set properly.
Residents will receive an orange slip of paper on their door 30 days before Austin Public Works plans on repairing their street and will be provided with alternative parking options as residents are required to remove their cars from the street for two days, according to Janae Spence, division manager of Pavement and Infrastructure Operations.
Residents are also encouraged to call 311 to get the exact date of the repair, as weather conditions may impact the schedule. After the street repair, residents will receive a digital or paper survey where they can express any concerns about the efficiency or quality of the repair.
“It’s important to know we’re investing in our streets, and we want to have a great network of streets here,” Spence said.
With a budget of just over $27 million, Austin Public Works aims to repair 10% of the city's streets this year, using one of several different techniques based on demand and cost efficiency, according to Spence. Austin Public Works uses a vehicle with laser technology that can assess the conditions of each street and determine if it needs a sealcoat, crack seal, mill and overlay, or other repair option.
Sealcoating, a process of protecting asphalt with a coat of adhesive and aggregate, accounts for 55 percent of street repairs this year, according to Spence. Sealcoating ensures roads have enough friction to be safe to drive on in wet conditions. Loose gravel is expected on streets that have recently been sealcoated, as it takes an additional four to six weeks to be completely set after the treatment. While one of the main purposes of sealcoating is to create friction, roads that have undergone treatment will be smooth enough for biking and rollerblading, according to Spence.
With a limited budget and time, Austin Public Works is challenged with evaluating what areas have the greatest need.
“Equity is a big part of what we do. If the roads on, say, the east side, have worse condition, then we will address them more often. We make sure everyone gets equal access to good roads,” said Spence.
