Asphalt surfaces have a typical service life of 8 to 12 years, depending on traffic and weather conditions. Asphalt resurfacing is necessary when the asphalt surface has reached the end of its service life or if other methods of restoration cannot repair the roadway. A new asphalt surface will improve driving conditions as well as the aesthetics of the roadway. Asphalt resurfacing is a multi-step process that usually involves several work crews, accompanied by proper construction signs and work-zone traffic control measures to maintain public safety.
Asphalt Resurfacing Process
- Adjustment (lowering) of utilities to allow milling machines to traverse the roadway without damaging utility assets.
- Removal (milling) of old surface using a milling machine. All milled surfaces must be cleaned by the milling contractor and marked appropriately to safely direct traffic. (Milling may not be required on streets with no curb and gutter; however, the edges of streets with no curb and gutter may be trimmed prior to milling in order to provide a more uniform milled surface.)
- Re-adjustment (raising) of utilities so that they will again be flush with the new surface that will be applied.
- Application of a tack coat to milled surface to serve as a binder for the new surface that will be applied.
- Application of new paving surface by paving machines.
- Application of new thermal plastic pavement markings on new pavement surface.