Improvement of street maintenance is one of the Town of Snowflake’s priorities. It has become more challenging due to a decrease in Highway User Revenue Funds since the economic downturn, so the town is making an effort to improve street maintenance.
Over the last six months, staff members have performed crack sealing, and the town has contracted for the placement of preservation or fog seal with rejuvenating oil over approximately 12 miles of streets, Town Engineer Rob Emmett advised the town council Aug. 9.
Emmett noted that the initial pavement maintenance has focused on streets with a pavement condition rating of fair to good, but the next emphasis in the pavement maintenance program is to address streets that have a pavement condition rating of poor, which represents approximately 56 percent of all bituminous surface roads.
Emmett explained that poor rating streets would typically use treatments such as chip sealing and overlays, but the cost would range from $60,000 to $300,000 per mile, depending on the prescribed treatment.
Staff explored other options that would allow for spot treatment to extend the pavement service life and tried an Asphalt Spray Injector Patching System (spray patcher), which was demonstrated in three locations that have been monitored since the beginning of the year.
Emmett said that this could be used during the winter rather than a cold patch. “This is a more permanent fix to pot holes,” said Public Works Superintendent Terry Cooper. “Cold patch has blown out and this is still there.”
After researching the availability of spray patchers, Emmett asked the council to purchase the Asphalt Spray Injection Patcher from CRAFCO, Inc. of Chandler at a cost of $70,061.63.
“I think this will be a useful piece of equipment for years to come,” said Emmett.
After some discussion, the council unanimously approved the purchase of the asphalt spray injection patcher for an amount not to exceed $70,061.63.
