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Treatment Methods
The Paving for Progress program lays out a strategy that outlines the best treatment method for our roads. This combines preventative maintenance (addressing problems before they get worse), rehabilitation (resurfacing, but not doing a “deep dive”), and complete reconstruction (starting fresh from the bottom up). There is a cost benefit of performing work early rather than when the street is worse and repairs are more costly. The City’s strategy has included a little of everything — completely replacing some streets, while doing preventative maintenance on others. Learn more about the various treatment types, their uses and costs.
Maintenance
This treatment saves money in the long run by extending the life of the road, while also enhancing pavement quality. Waiting to address roads until they are completely deteriorated is five to ten times more costly, and takes investment away from roads whose life could be extended with maintenance. Not all roads are good candidates for this type of treatment, but for some, it can add 20 or more years to the life of the street.
3rd Avenue SE (5th - 19th) received preventative maintenance
Preventative maintenance at a glance:
• Less impactful to residents
• Less costly
• Less time intensive
• Surface-treatment only
• Underground utilities not replaced
• Long-term cost savings (spending $1 on maintenance eliminates or delays spending $6 - $10 in total street replacement)
Examples:
• Bowling Street SW
• 3rd Avenue SE (5th to 19th)
• Adirondack Drive NE
• Asphalt Sealing (Multiple Locations)
Average Cost: $85,000/mile
Rehabilitation
This treatment method is done midway through a street’s life, and falls between minor maintenance and a complete overhaul. Rehabilitation costs are usually three times less costly than complete reconstruction, and yet can add thirty to forty years to the life of the road. There are many roads that are good candidates for this type of treatment and investment.
8th Avenue SW was a good candidate for rehabilitation.
Rehabilitation at a glance:
• Asphalt surface removal
• Asphalt resurfacing
• Concrete base patching
• Curb repairs
• Underground utilities repairs
Examples:
• Oakland Road NE
• 8th Avenue SW
• Mt. Vernon Road SE
• Edgewood Road NW
Average Cost: $700,000/mile
Complete Reconstruction
Some streets are past the point where other treatment options are useful and we can no longer extend their service life. Complete reconstruction is used when a street needs to be fully ripped out and replaced.
West Post Road NW was completely reconstructed.
Complete reconstruction at a glance:
• More time intensive
• More costly
• Complete replacement of the entire street
• Underground utilities replaced (Utility work is funded by utilities rates and does not typically receive funding through LOST)
Examples:
• 42nd Street NE
• West Post Road NW
• Memorial Drive SE
• 20th Street SW
