The dry summer has seen a surge in road resurfacing works across Auckland.
But Franklin Local Board Waiuku subdivision representative Sharlene Druyven says that’s moved the complaints from being about the state of the roads to the materials used to repair them.
“Some people seem to believe chip sealing roads is a downgrade on hotmix but it’s the most cost-effective way to resurface.
“Roads are resurfaced to keep the seal waterproof and maintain skid resistance. Bitumen in the surface breaks down over time causing it to become brittle and crack and lose chip.
“That means you apply a chip seal, which will last between 8-12 years and cost $4-8 a square metre, or a hotmix at $20-30 that lasts 10-14 years.
“If you used hotmix everywhere, you wouldn’t be able to do anywhere near as much maintenance because of the cost.”
Auckland Transport says not only is chip seal the most cost-effective method of resurfacing but in many situations, it is the only practical method.
Hotmix is generally only used on high traffic roads - those carrying more than 10,000 vehicles a day, or in high-stress areas such as intersections.
All resurfacing sites undergo a specific seal design and the choice of surfacing and chip size depends on factors such as traffic, the existing texture and turning stresses.
AT says in most cases, repairs are undertaken before two chip seal coats are applied. The seal sheds excess chip for several months after resurfacing, which can create the impression the new surface is defective.
New seals, particularly two-coat seals, can require multiple sweeps to remove excess chip.
Many of the enquiries AT receives are about older residential hotmix surfaces being resurfaced with chip seal.
It says many hotmix surfaces were built by developers at the time of subdivision, so when they are resurfaced with chip seal, residents complain, believing the rougher chip seal to be inferior to the smoother hotmix.
“Residents can be reassured chip sealing is the most cost-effective use of their money,” Druyven says.
