City Outlines Road Repair Timeline and Strategy Roughly 30 Roads to be ‘Crack Sealed’ Starting this Fall

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – July 21, 2022

Contact: Steve Smirti, Director of Communications (ssmirti@medford-ma.gov), 516-606-1524

 

 

City Outlines Road Repair Timeline and Strategy

 

Roughly 30 Roads to be ‘Crack Sealed’ Starting this Fall

 

 

(MEDFORD)—Starting this fall, the City will treat roughly one third of roads that have cracks and gaps identified in the Pavement Assessment plan as most in need, Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn announced.

 

This type of weathering occurs when water infiltrates roadway surfaces causing the asphalt to expand, leaving gaps in the pavement which can potentially cause damage to vehicles and pedestrians. Through a process called ‘crack sealing’, these narrow cracks in the roadway are filled with liquid asphalt that seal the opening and prevent water and other liquids from infiltrating the surface.

 

“Without question, one of the biggest issues I hear from the community about is the conditions of our roads,” Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn said. “I commissioned a comprehensive study of streets and sidewalks, and we’re now using that report to prioritize and repair our roadways. This is just one part of our full sidewalk and pavement plan that will guide our infrastructure repair strategy and make the streets in our City more accessible and navigable. We’ve also issued a new engineering directive earlier this month that requires companies doing utility work on our streets also repair any existing damage to the entirety of the roadway, including sidewalks, in front of the property line.”

 

The comprehensive pavement report is a critical tool at the City’s disposal to appropriately and proactively plan for the work that is needed to address the severe backlog in pavement and infrastructure work. There are many projects highlighted in the report that require extensive planning, thought and coordination that are currently underway. Crack sealing however is much more cost-effective, efficient and timely process that can extend the life of a road and prevent significant traffic disruption.

 

There are approximately 90 roads in total that the Pavement Plan highlighted as candidates for crack sealing. About one third will be done this fall and the City’s plan is to complete the remaining streets during the next construction season. A list of roads that will be repaired this year, and roads slated for the next year can be found here.

 

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Steve Smirti

Director of Communications | Office of Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn

Medford City Hall

85 George P Hassett Dr, Medford, MA 02155

781-393-2110 (office)

516-606-1524 (mobile)

ssmirti@medford-ma.gov

www.medfordma.org

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