Street Resurfacing

Street Resurfacing
P: (336) 222-5066

The street system in the City of Burlington is comprised of approximately 272 miles of streets – the City maintains approximately 214 miles and the North Carolina Department of Transportation maintains about 58 miles. City personnel conduct Pavement Condition Surveys to assess the structural condition of city streets.  The Engineering Department staff inspects about one-third of the city streets every year with a goal that all streets are analyzed an average of once every three years. Information is collected on various factors relating to the structural condition of the pavement,

including different types of pavement cracking, rutting, extent of patching and utility cuts, and ride quality.

Methods developed by the UNC Institute for Transportation Research and Education (ITRE) are used during the Pavement Condition Survey. ITRE coordinates transportation research and education in the university system of North Carolina, and provides technical assistance and technology transfer to municipal, county, and state governments. The data collected during the Pavement Condition Survey is input to computer software developed by ITRE known as a Pavement Management System. 

This software calculates a rating for each street segment based on the data collected and previous information which has been entered such as street width, segment length, type of pavement surface, and relative traffic volume. This rating system serves as the basis for prioritizing maintenance and resurfacing needs. Additional factors that are considered before resurfacing a section of street include curb replacement, recent or planned utility work, storm drainage improvements, and current or planned residential or commercial construction affecting the street.

Streets that have been resurfaced several times over the years may need to have the asphalt surface cut away with a pavement profiling (milling) machine to prevent the curb and gutter from being filled with asphalt. Another reason to mill a street is to reduce the slope (crown) from the center of the road to the curb. Before resurfacing, deteriorated portions of pavement are excavated and patched, and manholes and valve boxes are adjusted to the level of the new asphalt. Typically, a resurfaced street receives one and one-half inches of new asphalt.

Meeting the infrastructure needs of the City of Burlington involves the interaction and cooperation of many City departments, government officials, and the public. Questions regarding the street-resurfacing program should be directed to the Engineering Department at 222-5050, while the Street Department should be called with questions about repairs and maintenance at 222-5066.