2020-21 Overlay and Slurry Seal Program

The City of Santa Clarita (City) is the third largest city in Los Angeles County, and as such we strive to maximize our resources to preserve our growing pavement infrastructure. We employ a five-year pavement management plan to strategize the locations and treatments for our pavement projects.
Our multi-year pavement management plan utilizes current pavement management principals of doing the right thing to the right pavement at the right time (Federal Highway Administration). The City’s maintained pavement network consists of 1,252.09 lane miles and 112,164,467 square feet. Maintenance for our pavement network is prioritized using a critical point management approach which focuses on the rehabilitation and maintenance of streets above rather than below a critical point pavement condition index (PCI). Before this project, the City’s overall PCI was 70, but with all of the creative strategies we employ, the City’s overall PCI rating increased to 72 after completion.
The City also employs several methods to maximize our use of recycled materials and promote sustainability. Some examples from this year’s projects include the use of Thin Maintenance Overlay (TMO)–a specialized overlay treatment with a rubber component that is applied thinner than a traditional overlay. TMO requires less material while also providing the structural integrity to significantly treat and extend pavement life. Using TMO was a result of our creative approach to tackling pavement conditions with the critical point strategy. The rubber component in TMO is derived from recycled rubber in California. Another sustainable pavement treated we use is Asphalt Rubberized Hot Mix (ARHM) which makes use of 15-20% crumb rubber from recycled tires. The City uses ARHM on all overlay applications not only for sustainablility, but also for enhanced ride quality when compared to conventional asphalt. By utilizing local recycled materials, we reduce our carbon footprint, reduce overhead costs, and treat more streets with the project savings.
Another method of extending the life of our pavement network is the extraordinary collaboration and communication the City spearheads with our local utility agencies. Scheduling logistics for pavement construction projects often begin one year ahead of the next project. Open communication with utility agencies allows them to complete their work ahead of the City’s pavement projects. However, coordination works both ways, and we have rescheduled our projects to follow utility work when necessary. Furthermore, we maintain a strict roadway moratorium of three years for slurry seal and five years for overlay.
Protecting our pavement from unnecessary repairs and rework helps support our goals to sustainably, efficiently, and cost-effectively maintain the City’s extensive pavement network. This project was completed on time with many positive public comments. Funding for this project was a combination of Proposition C, SB-1, TDA-Article 8, and Measure M.