Town highlights chip-seal pavement preservation on three corridors

Town staff told the Florence Town Council June 2 that a cooperative contract with Cactus Asphalt completed chip-seal and restriping work under CIP T69 on three key roadways.

Miguel Valenuela, Street Superintendent, presented the project overview. Eastb Avenue (about 3.84 miles, ~3,500 vehicles per day), Cooper Road (≈2.7 miles), and Ataway Road (≈2.0 miles, ~4,500 vehicles per day) had Pavement Condition Index ratings under 39% (an F rating). Miguel said the chip-seal plus restriping was selected as a cost-effective pavement-preservation method, extending pavement life “roughly seven to nine years” versus full reconstruction. He estimated that full reconstruction of the three roads could have cost $8–9 million, while the chip-seal contract was completed for just over $1 million.

Council members and residents praised the results and asked about the pavement camera/road-rating program that produced the PCI data. Miguel said the town’s RMT camera system (truck-mounted sensors and imagery) provides a road-rating and defect catalog used to prioritize work. Council members noted improved driving experience and nighttime visibility after restriping.

Why it matters: The preservation work addressed safety and visibility on heavily used local routes at a fraction of reconstruction cost, and prioritized limited capital dollars.

What’s next: Staff will incorporate updated road ratings into the town’s 10-year pavement plan and report revised PCI values to council once the RMT system uploads the post-construction assessments.