Overview
The Lunenburg Department of Public Works has developed an asphalt patching program to meet the needs of our community. Our desire is to provide and maintain the highest possible level of service with quality, efficiency, and safety in mind.
Our Town consists of approximately 86 miles of streets, and quality maintenance seems to be a never ending task. Patching of streets occurs for the following reasons: filling potholes, repairing failing drainage structures, repairing access cuts for underground utility replacement or repair, as well as preparing streets for crack sealing, overlays, etc.
With a solid work plan we feel we can improve our productivity, efficiency, and customer service.
Objectives
One of the objectives of the Department of Public Works is to provide a plan for the safe and orderly movement of emergency equipment, vehicle traffic and pedestrians through the Town.
The Asphalt Patching Program was developed to facilitate this objective.
The procedures presented in this program serve to outline the maintenance provided to the citizens.
Policy
It is the policy of the Department of Public Works to:
Inspect all roadway surface areas for cracking, potholing, or any other form of degradation. This inspection process shall be considered an on-going event, and all bad areas will be noted for replacement.
Prior to each construction season a review of work zone safety will be required. New personnel shall also be trained in proper patching techniques. All equipment will be tested for proper operation and all supplies will be restocked to avoid shortages.
Every effort will be made to address pothole complaints within 48 hours after notification. All calls and responses will be logged.
Responsibilities
Administrative/Supervisory Responsibilities
Supervisors spot check crew to see that quality and safety standards are being met.
Supervisor shall maintain a good communication network with Director and other Departments concerning special requests, service cut patching, etc.
Supervisor shall also assist crew with permit coordination if necessary, i.e., digsafe.
Location as well as date of repair will be documented.
Crew Responsibilities
Initiate work zone setup and patching in a safe and efficient manner.
Assure that proper permits and paperwork are completed and logged.
Traffic disruption should be minimized.
Tools and equipment should be maintained to the highest standard practical.
Procedures for Utility Patching
Proper permits and data sheets are generated within Town Departments. Permit locations are coordinated to maximize team productivity. High volume streets are patched as a priority.
Traffic control is set up with control devices in proper sequence. Visually inspect traffic flow.
Area to be patched is removed with the most efficient cutting tool for the job: jack hammer, or cutting saw.
Remove temporary or defective asphalt from area to be patched. Main streets are dug to a 4 inch dept. Apply asphalt bonding agent around edge of patch. If base under roadway is inadequate remove to depth where material becomes firm. Refill hole with proper road base and compact.
Lay 2 inches of asphalt in hole to be patched, rake level, then compact. Add another layer of asphalt to be raked level and compacted so that finished product is level with existing asphalt. When patch is complete, it must be smooth and meet defined compaction standards.
Compaction standards are met with the use of a steel wheel roller. Edges of patches are trimmed to prevent damage and future potholing. Cleaned edges also present a much neater appearance.
Work area is swept so any loose material doesn’t become a traffic hazard.
Remove traffic control devices in reverse order as was set up at start of job.
Procedures for Pothole Patching
Pothole crews respond on an as needed basis. Potholes form in roadways after moisture has saturated asphalt surfaces causing a breakdown in asphalt.
The pothole must be clean of all debris, water, loose rock, and broken asphalt. A street broom is used to sweep out smaller particles and clean edges of hole to be patched.
Fill hole with asphalt, mix one to two inches higher than road surface. Asphalt mix is then wheel rolled with truck tire or compacted with vibratory compactor. Finished patch should be level with road surface.
On alligator cracks where asphalt breakdown is occurring, area is sprayed with a tack oil. Area is then covered completely with asphalt mix and compacted to grade. However, this procedure is only a temporary fix.
Larger cracks in roadways are filled one half of an inch higher than road surface and then compacted to grade.