The Pavement Management team collects and analyzes data to determine the most cost effective maintenance strategy for the City’s roadway network.  The team uses an inventory database to store condition, construction, and maintenance information on a street network of 1780 lane miles.  

Management of a well-maintained street system requires a balanced program of pavement surface treatments and rehabilitation projects.  The treatment used on a particular street depends on the pavement condition, construction and maintenance history, safety issues, traffic conditions, and available funds.  

Salt Lake City has established a pavement management program involving periodic surface treatments and timely overlays that will significantly extend the functional life of our street network.  Following is a description of the typical pavement preservation strategies used in Salt Lake City.

Pothole Filling
This is an emergency type repair to fill holes in existing roadways.  Quality construction and utility cut restorations, along with periodic surface treatments, significantly reduces the frequency of pothole repairs.

Patching and Crack Sealing
These maintenance strategies address specific distresses in the roadway surface.  This type of repair is generally followed by a roadway surface treatment within two years to provide a cost effective program of roadway preservation.

Slurry Seal and Chip Seal Surface Treatments
Slurry seal and chip seals are applied to the entire pavement surface to prevent oxidation and moisture intrusion.  Slurry seals are applied to streets that are basically in good condition, and chip seals are applied to streets that have at least a fair condition rating.  Both of these treatments extend the pavement life and improve long-term performance.

Pavement Overlay
Asphalt overlay projects add strength to the existing pavement and are generally applied to roadways that have a poor condition rating.  Pavement overlay projects are funded through the City's Capital Improvement Program.  In accordance with the City's commitment to the elimination of public way barriers, ADA ramps are installed in conjunction with all overlay projects.  Curb and gutter repairs are also included in the overlay project to ensure drainage problems are resolved.

Pavement Reconstruction
Pavements that have exceeded their functional life are programmed for reconstruction through the City's Capital Improvement Program.  As with pavement overlays, ADA ramps are installed and drainage impeding damaged curbs are repaired on all reconstruction projects.

Further information regarding Pavement Management can be obtained by emailing Bill Brown at william.brown@slcgov.com.