Pavement Management

What is Pavement Management?

The City of Vancouver maintains approximately 580 miles of paved streets. Each year, as part of Vancouver's Pavement Management program, over 290 miles of city streets are visually inspected to document their existing condition. With this information, the city chooses roads needing preventive maintenance, resurfacing or reconstruction. The resulting pavement treatments fall into two categories: overlay or preventive surface treatment.

After roads are inspected, a condition index is calculated from 0-100. Generally, streets rated 70-100 are considered “good.” One of our goals is to keep “good” streets in “good” condition.  When roads begin to fail, they fail quickly and the costs to repair them increases dramatically. While it might be tempting to fix “failed” streets first, it would be so expensive no money would be left for preventive maintenance or rehabilitation of “fair” to “good” streets.

Streets included in the annual maintenance program are carefully-selected based on engineering evaluations, coordination with other agencies and utilities, and input from citizens and maintenance personnel.

The pavement management program is also responsible for issuing permits to franchise utilities such as cable, phone, electricity and gas. This permitting process seeks to find alternatives to cutting existing streets.

Completely replacing the city’s 580 miles of roadway could cost over $400 million. Pavement management is a way of protecting this investment, therefore maximizing the life of our streets and getting you the most for your tax dollar.

Types of Pavement Management 

1. Overlay = a mixture of coarse rock and asphalt two inches or more in depth to provide additional load carrying capacity and a smoother ride.

2. Preventive Surface Treatment

• Microsurface = a composite of dense-graded aggregate, polymer modified asphalt emulsion, water, mineral fillers and other additives that can be stronger and provide more durability than a slurry seal.
• Slurry Seal = a mixture of fine rock, asphalt and water placed on the pavement about ¼-inch thick to protect the surface from sun and rain.
• Chip Seal = a layer of emulsified asphalt and then a layer of new rock is applied for a chip seal.
• Cape Seal = a surface treatment that begins with a chip seal and then combines a final slurry seal application.    
   

What to Expect Prior to Paving or Surface Treatment?

In most cases, residences and businesses fronting impacted streets receive door hanger notices in advance of paving and surface work. Within construction zones, drivers are asked to be prepared for delays, watch for traffic changes, proceed slowly, and be alert to construction workers, bicyclists, pedestrians and other motorists. Regardless of the type, all paving applications are highly weather dependent.

Construction hours are typically from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, though work may continue as late as 8 p.m. if needed. All paving applications are highly weather dependent. In case of rain, overlay paving or application of other surface treatments must be rescheduled. 

Questions?

Pavement Management questions:
Ryan Miles, Senior Civil Engineer
360-487-7708
ryan.miles@ci.vancouver.wa.us

Terri Elioff, Senior Engineering Technician
360-487-7722
terri.elioff@ci.vancouver.wa.us

Construction questions during summer street work:
Department of Public Works, Construction Services
360-487-7750
(7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday)