With 277 kilometres of paved roadways in Moose Jaw, the Department of Public Works and Utilities must run several programs annually to ensure those streets are regularly maintained and repaired.
What those programs are and when the department undertakes them were part of a report that city council discussed during its Oct. 5 regular meeting. The council report summarized the repairs and maintenance projects, while a document about The City of Moose Jaw Road Repair and Maintenance Program provided additional details about specific programs.
Council later voted 6-1 for city administration to bring back an enhanced road repair and maintenance program and refer the program to the 2021 budget discussions.
Coun. Brian Swanson was opposed.
Repairs
Repairs to potholes and utility cuts are performed year-round with a temporary cold mix application in the winter and a permanent hot mix application in the summer, Darrin Stephanson, director of public works and utilities, told council.
There are about 5,500 potholes — technically, frost boils — throughout the city, with these repairs high on the priority list.
When using hot mix asphalt, the department will complete priority 1 and 2 routes first before dividing the city into sections and completing them in that order. With cold mix repair, priority 1, 2, 3 and 4 routes are inspected on a six-week rotation and repairs are completed when discovered.
Road failures are permanently addressed through an annual capital deep-patching program, although failed locations that the program doesn’t address receive a temporary hot mix repair, he continued. Road depressions — or dips — are only addressed operationally when there are concerns about public safety or risk of damage to motorists’ vehicles.
Maintenance
Street cleaning removes dirt and debris, not just for aesthetic purposes, but also to keep storm pipes clean and functional, said Stephanson. This prevents standing water that can be detrimental to asphalt longevity. The street-sweeping program occurs in the spring and provides a single cleaning of every paved road, apart from Main Street, which receives regular cleanings.
The department commences line painting shortly after street sweeping begins and paints lines on arterial and select collector roads, he continued. Main Street and First Avenue Northwest receive two applications annually.
Roughly 35,000 metres of street lines are painted annually, according to the report. There are also 403 crosswalks, 12 school rumble strips and 32 railway crossings, turning arrows, and curbs where lines are painted. The department paints school zone crosswalks in the spring and late summer.
Council discussion
City administration has considered using a thermal plastic paint that would last about seven to 10 years, but it is expensive, while the pavement that requires the paint needs to be replaced, explained city manager Jim Puffalt. City hall is looking at purchasing better quality paint for 2021, while the engineering department determines where these roads fit into the repair schedule.
Coun. Chris Warren expressed his disappointment with the report, saying it wasn’t comprehensive enough to describe how the municipality planned to enhance its service levels for residents. In response, Puffalt replied that taxpayers usually provide council with the best feedback on areas of concern.
“There is only so much we can do with the existing budget. (For example), if you want to double street sweepings, that would be double the cost,” he said.
It would be great if city administration brought back enhanced repair and maintenance options with increased budget figures, said Warren. He also wanted to see shortened timelines and targets, so council could say it’s either happy with the level of service or more money is required. He then introduced a motion to that effect.
The next regular council meeting is Monday, Oct. 19.
