Pavement Preservation Newsletter
January 2011

Thank you for veiwing our newsletter. It is our goal to keep you informed about the latest in pavement preservation. We aim to provide knowledge about local projects, showing the key aspects of what other communities are doing to maintain pavements and stretch budgets. If you are interested in learning more, please contact us direct. We are pleased to assist you in any way we can.

Project Profile: City of Lancaster, OH
The 2010 City of Lancaster Resurfacing project addressed the need to apply a high quality driving surface and minimize cost. Achieving this goal required the community to evaluate which pavements had the appropriate conditions.

The candidate that was selected required a combination of applications. This combination of applications is what is termed a “Cape Seal.” The first process to be applied was a Stress Absorbing Membrane Interlayer (SAMI). The street was thoroughly swept after the completion of some minor asphalt repairs. The SAMI, utilizing a highly polymer modified asphalt emulsion addressed the widespread cracking. This process reduces reflective cracking by dissipating crack propagation energy, and waterproofs underlying substrates preventing penetrating moisture damage. This application was selected in the design phase due to the extensive amount of cracking in the existing pavement. The SAMI interlayer effectively addresses these issues prior to a surface treatment.

The surface application applied was a form of Microsurfacing referred to as BlackMat. This versital system provides an effective uniform seal, high skid resistance and lasting durability. The BlackMat incorporates 50% Ontario trap rock with local limestone. This stone has multiple benefits, with aesthetics being at the top of the list. The trap rock is inherently charcoal in color and gives the new surface a permanent dark look.

Over the years The City of Lancaster has done many similar applications, all tailored to the condition of each specific pavement. Lancaster still has an extensive amount of streets that need attention. They have grasped the fact if these streets can be addressed appropriately prior to them falling apart, there will be a significant long term cost benefit. In the current climate of diminishing funding, the shift is being made to preservation. Communities are in need of alternative lower cost applications that can cost effectively extend the life of their pavements. It is these processes that will continue to provide local communities with quality alternatives that assist in maintaining an aging infrastructure.

Why Cape Seals?
The cape seal application is one of our fastest growing pavement preservation solutions. Each application of the process can be altered to fit your exact need. Cape Seals have been applied on pavements ranging from interstates to residential streets. Generally the total thickness is just over a half inch, and it is feathered down at the pavement edge or curb. There is no milling necessary, no butt joints required, no casting adjustments or berming. The reduced amount of construction minimizes the inconvenience to the traveling public.

If your pavements are experiencing significant widespread cracking but are predominately structurally sound, a Cape Seal can be the appropriate solution. Addressing these roadways prevents rapid deterioration that will require a much more costly repair just a couple of years later. The cost of of a Cape Seal is roughly 55% of a conventional 2” mill and fill. In addition, if you have the need to resurface in urban enviroments, government regulations can require installation of ADA ramps, truncated domes, etc. Cape Seals and other preservation treatments fall under the catogory of maintenance, and do not require these costly installations.

The evidence is clear, many communities have an unsustainable infrastructure for the allocation of funding they are provided. Paving cycles are being extended longer, requiring thousands of hours of reactionary repairs by municipal crews patching potholes and the like. These issues can be obverted, the funding can be stretched to cover and preserve more mileage than ever. The solution is pavement preservation today and moving into the future. The Cape Seal application is one of multiple turn key solutions available to your community.

If you have any questions related to this newsletter or any of our services, please contact us. We are pleased to be of assistance.

Sincerely,

Ryan Terry
Terry Asphalt Materials