The Fundamentals of Municipal Asphalt Paving

Working with a paving company that has experience with municipal paving projects can save time, money, and some massive headaches. It’s also wise to understand all of the moving parts involved with a successful municipal asphalt paving project. Below are some of the most important fundamentals so you don’t walk into any surprises along the way.

Bidding

If you’re a municipal engineer or infrastructure project manager, you’re well aware of elements like code compliance and budget restrictions; work with a paving partner that knows about these elements, too. Public roadways and paved surfaces get far more traffic than residential surfaces. The asphalt contractor you work with needs the experience, tools, and quality materials to create paved surfaces that stand up to high volumes of wear and tear.

If the municipal asphalt paving project bidding process seems complex, that’s because it is. However, the good news is that working with the right paving partner can streamline that process and give you peace of mind that your paving project is in the right hands.

Maintenance

Well-installed asphalt paving, performed with quality materials and tools used by experienced contractors, can have a lifespan of up to 35 years. It’s also low-maintenance, and the preventative measures needed to keep asphalt looking new are relatively low-cost when stretched out over the lifetime of your pavement. That being said, some regular tasks need to be completed for commercial and municipal asphalt parking lots to hold their investment.

While major systems of a property need regular yearly or even monthly maintenance — think HVAC and roofing — regular asphalt parking lot maintenance should happen every three to five years. This cycle begins after the sealcoating is completed, and you should have the cracks filled in the cycle’s second year. Work with your asphalt contractor to establish a maintenance schedule and follow it; sealcoating every three years and repairing damage ASAP can add years to the longevity of your asphalt parking lot.

Repairs

One of the most significant benefits of choosing asphalt for paved surfaces is the minimal maintenance over the lifetime of the asphalt. Still, it takes proactive measures to understand what kind of maintenance is needed and when. By regularly inspecting the pavement and identifying asphalt damage, you’ll see a significant return on your investment in asphalt paving.

Stop minor damage in its tracks by calling your contractor out regularly. An experienced eye can inspect your pavement closely and identify issues, along with working closely with you to determine the best ways to maintain anything they see as a problem. This is especially important after periods of extreme weather and heavy rainfall.

Sustainability

Asphalt application and repair are quick infrastructure projects, and with the right contractor at the helm, they can perform these projects with minimal traffic congestion. That, in turn, means lower emissions and cleaner air overall. For those looking for quick curb appeal with a smaller impact on the environment, consider asphalt paving.

Dark asphalt also works in metropolitan cities with taller buildings to absorb heat. Light concrete or other paving surfaces reflect heat to the buildings, making HVAC systems work harder, increasing their impact on the environment around them. The EPA even has registered asphalt plants as a source of very low pollution.

Think about the time and labor spent on several paving projects spread out across the geography of your municipality, and compare that to the cost of outsourcing. Often it’s much more efficient both cost and labor-wise to hand off these smaller yet impactful asphalt projects to a contractor. 

Additionally, there are always emergencies that pop up or work that needs to be done at night, on weekends, and even on holidays. This can add up to serious overtime pay, and municipal budgets are generally stretched thin as it is. Contractors have the tools and time to deal with emergencies quickly and the specialization to complete work during the off-hours without causing a headache for the municipal payroll manager.

When it’s time to outsource your municipal paving, give the Leritz team a call to learn how we can help. From prep to maintenance and everything in between, we’ll work with you to get the result you’re looking for get in touch today!