Austin Public Works is beginning seasonal street maintenance in neighborhoods around the city. With summer approaching, temperatures are suitable for surface treatments to be applied.

Residents can expect to see crews in neighborhoods through the early fall. These maintenance activities help preserve Austin's streets and extend their lifespan. 

"Maintaining the city's network of streets through preventative treatments is a key component of enhancing mobility in the right of way," said Assistant City Manager Gina Fiandaca. "A strong roadway system will keep Austin moving now and into the future."

Crews will notify residents in advance of maintenance treatments in neighborhoods with doorhangers that list procedures and ask vehicles to be temporarily removed from the street. Vehicles not moved prior to scheduled maintenance will be towed to a nearby street. 

The main maintenance treatment that crews apply during this time of year is sealcoat. This requires three basic steps: spray, spread and sweep.

Sealcoat is a quick process involving spraying a layer of oil and spreading an asphalt material on top. Crews then sweep remaining rock and may return to do additional sweeping if needed. 

To help make this a smooth process, Austin Public Works is offering the following tips:

• Vehicles must be removed from streets scheduled for maintenance for two (2) days.
• Expect loose gravel once the work is complete. Some loose rock that remains on the road will settle into the new asphalt material with time.
• Avoid hard braking and sharp turning until the surface hardens to prevent flying gravel.

The sealcoat process results in a smoother surface eliminating the hairline cracks that lead to potholes. The treatment must be done in warm, dry conditions, so the work is usually done between May and October as weather permits.

On most streets, the treatment can be done in 30 minutes per lane, per block. Crews work during daylight hours from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on weekdays and some weekends.

To see streets scheduled for maintenance and for more info, visit austintexas.gov/streetmaintenance
 

View more photos on Public Works Flickr
 

The City of Austin uses a Pavement Management Information System (PMIS) to track pavement inventory and performance and to coordinate, plan, and forecast pavement needs. The PMIS ensures the most cost effective program for long term pavement maintenance. The annual sealcoat program covers about 500 different streets in neighborhoods all over the city.

About Austin Public Works Street and Bridge Operations:
Public Works Street and Bridge Operations manages and maintains public right-of-way infrastructure including streets, bridges, sidewalks, guardrails, trees and vegetation. Our five divisions patch potholes, resurface streets, repair utility cuts, maintain the City's medians, right-of-way maintenance on trees, and respond after storms.