Seasonal preventative street maintenance is underway in Austin, with crews from the Austin Transportation and Public Works Department (TPW) expected to be active in neighborhoods through October. This maintenance aims to preserve city streets and extend their lifespan.
One notable treatment used by TPW is sealcoat, a quick and cost-effective solution. The process involves spraying oil and spreading asphalt material on the street. Crews then sweep excess rock and may return for additional sweeping if necessary. The result is a smoother surface that eliminates hairline cracks leading to potholes.
Residents along streets scheduled for sealcoat treatment are advised to remove vehicles from these streets for two days. Vehicles not removed will be towed to a nearby street.
After the process, expect loose gravel on the road, which will settle into the new asphalt over time. To prevent flying gravel, avoid hard braking and sharp turning until the surface hardens.
The treatment requires warm, dry conditions and is typically conducted between April and October as weather permits. Most streets can be treated in 30 minutes per lane, per block. Crews work during daylight hours from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on weekdays and some weekends.
For more information on scheduled maintenance, visit TPW’s Preventative Street Maintenance webpage.
Information from this article can be found here.
