Crack sealing works to help waterproof our sealed roads and shared paths
Published: 13 Sep 2024 1:37pm
Local residents and motorists are advised Council contractors will be carrying out crack sealing works on several urban link roads and sections of the Active Travel Plan (ATP) shared path network across Wagga Wagga over coming weeks.
The works are schedule to start on Monday 16 September, weather permitting, and should take approximately 12 to 15 days to complete.
Council’s Director Infrastructure Services Henry Pavitt says contractors will be doing hot-pour polymer bitumen crack sealing to waterproof the surface and prolong its lifecycle.
“Crack sealing is an important intervention maintenance technique that plays a critical asset management role in maintaining our extensive sealed road network,” Mr Pavitt said.
"The process is designed to stop moisture entering the underlying layer of gravel during wet weather through a crack in the asphalt or bitumen surface, which is the main cause of the onset of a pothole on a sealed road or path.
“It’s often one of the first treatments applied to the pavement to increase its longevity and is a very cost-effective maintenance practice.”
A report to Council in November 2022 on the state of our road network identified cracks in the road surface as the main contributor for potholes.
In response to the report, Council established a crack sealing budget to prioritise undertaking this proactive and preventative measure against pavement deterioration and potholes.
“In the first half of 2023, we carried out approximately $50,000 in crack sealing works, which covered 40,000 lineal metres (l/m) across 47 streets,” Mr Pavitt said.
“That budget was doubled to $100,000 in the 2023/24 financial year, where we covered around 70,000 l/m of crack sealing on almost 40 roads and shared paths, including the asphalt path around Lake Albert, the Pomingalarna Link and Kapooka Link
“Council plans to crack seal between 50,000 to 60,000 lineal metres in this latest round of works.”
The crack sealing work will be carried out in the following locations: Lloyd Road, Inglewood Road, Stanley Street, Lake Albert Road, Kooringal Road, Copland Street and Bourke Street, as well as ATP shared paths in Ashmont, Estella and Glenfield.
Works will be undertaken between 7am and 5pm each day, including weekends.
Roads will remain open under traffic control.