Each Milwaukie Minute features a project or event update, fun fact and a simple poll where you can share your views. No long surveys. Just a quick way to learn about your city and make your voice heard. This Milwaukie Minute will test your knowledge about maintaining the city's streets.
Quick Poll - Temperature Challenge
Before you read on, please take the Quick Poll below! The correct answer will be revealed in the Fun Fact below so don't peek!
Why we fill cracks before they become potholes?
Small cracks can lead to big problems. That's why each summer Milwaukie's Public Works crews seal cracks in streets throughout Milwaukie before rain and winter weather have a chance to cause more damage.
Crack sealing keeps water from seeping beneath the pavement, where it can weaken the road's foundation. Small cracks may not seem like a big deal, but they allow water to seep beneath the pavement. Over time, that moisture weakens the road's foundation. As vehicles travel over the weakened pavement, the asphalt begins to break apart, leading to larger cracks, potholes, and eventually the need for more extensive repairs. By treating cracks early, we can extend the life of a street by several years and postpone costly reconstruction, helping us get the most value from every transportation dollar. Crack sealing is the most cost-effective preventative measure costing $2,000 - $3,500 per lane mile compared to $1,000,000 - $3,000,000 for a complete reconstruction of the road.
It's a little like repairing a small leak in your roof before it turns into major water damage-fixing problems early is almost always less expensive than waiting until they get worse.
Fun Fact
The black material used to fill pavement cracks is a flexible rubberized asphalt sealant heated to nearly 425°F before it's applied. Once it cools, it remains flexible, allowing it to expand and contract with the pavement as temperatures change while helping keep water out and slowing the growth of cracks.
Thanks so much for participating in the latest Milwaukie Minute!
Learn something new. Share what you think.
Each Milwaukie Minute features a project or event update, fun fact and a simple poll where you can share your views. No long surveys. Just a quick way to learn about your city and make your voice heard. This Milwaukie Minute will test your knowledge about maintaining the city's streets.
Quick Poll - Temperature Challenge
Before you read on, please take the Quick Poll below! The correct answer will be revealed in the Fun Fact below so don't peek!
Why we fill cracks before they become potholes?
Small cracks can lead to big problems. That's why each summer Milwaukie's Public Works crews seal cracks in streets throughout Milwaukie before rain and winter weather have a chance to cause more damage.
Crack sealing keeps water from seeping beneath the pavement, where it can weaken the road's foundation. Small cracks may not seem like a big deal, but they allow water to seep beneath the pavement. Over time, that moisture weakens the road's foundation. As vehicles travel over the weakened pavement, the asphalt begins to break apart, leading to larger cracks, potholes, and eventually the need for more extensive repairs. By treating cracks early, we can extend the life of a street by several years and postpone costly reconstruction, helping us get the most value from every transportation dollar. Crack sealing is the most cost-effective preventative measure costing $2,000 - $3,500 per lane mile compared to $1,000,000 - $3,000,000 for a complete reconstruction of the road.
It's a little like repairing a small leak in your roof before it turns into major water damage-fixing problems early is almost always less expensive than waiting until they get worse.
Fun Fact
The black material used to fill pavement cracks is a flexible rubberized asphalt sealant heated to nearly 425°F before it's applied. Once it cools, it remains flexible, allowing it to expand and contract with the pavement as temperatures change while helping keep water out and slowing the growth of cracks.
Thanks so much for participating in the latest Milwaukie Minute!
