There are 500 kilometers of roads within the Shellharbour Local Government Area, most of which are managed and maintained by Council.
Over time, road surfaces wear down from sun, rain and traffic. Cracks can appear in the top layer of road surface, and if water gets into the layers underneath, it can cause potholes and more serious damage. Our road resealing and rehabilitation program uses two main types of treatments to keep our roads smooth and safe for years to come, asphalt surfacing and spray sealing.
Road treatments are chosen on a case-by-case basis, depending on the use and condition of each road as well as any specific requirements. Ideally, this is done before more serious damage develops so some roads may be resurfaced before they show visible signs of deterioration.
Some major roads in Shellharbour are managed by the State Government. To find out more about roadworks on a state road, visit Transport for NSW.
Spray seal and Asphalt - Whats the difference?
Spray sealing is like repainting the fence.
The timber is still sound, but the surface is tired. A new coat seals out moisture and slows deterioration, but it does not fix any structural issues underneath.
Asphalt resurfacing is like replacing the cladding or weatherboards.
You remove the worn outer layer and install a new surface. It restores appearance and function and gives a much better finish, but it still relies on the existing frame being in reasonable condition.
Full depth pavement rehabilitation is like rebuilding the fence from the ground up.
The posts are rotten and the rails are failing, so painting or new cladding will not help. You dig out the foundations, replace the posts and structure, then finish with new boards and paint. It is the most disruptive and costly option, but it fully addresses the underlying structural failure and gives the longest service life.
In simple terms:
- Spray seal protects,
- Asphalt resurfaces,
- Full depth rehab is a rebuild
