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Contractor says early pavement preservation saves millions; Holbrook Asphalt urges developer treatments and funding tools
Summary
Streets manager Chris Thomas and Holbrook Asphalt's Aaron Eppley advised Vineyard council to prioritize early pavement preservation, described PASER/PCI-based five-year treatments, and suggested options including developer-funded first preservation and a possible roadway usage fee to sustain long-term pavement health.
Chris Thomas, Vineyard's streets and stormwater manager, presented the city's pavement-preservation strategy and a five-year map of treatments focused on collectors and residential subdivisions. He said preservation treatments applied early are far less expensive than rehabilitation or full reconstruction and noted the city aims to keep its overall network at a PASER/PCI target around 7 out of 10.
"If you don't preserve it over time, it'll just go bad on you really fast and cost a lot of money down the road," Thomas said, summarizing the city's approach to maintaining roads rather than letting pavements deteriorate and requiring costly rebuilds.
Aaron Eppley of Holbrook Asphalt provided technical context: he described oxidation (UV/photo-oxidation) and moisture as primary accelerants of asphalt aging and explained why treatments such as high-density mineral bond (HDMB), slurry, microsurfacing or chip seals must be matched to road type and condition. "Oxidation is what kills your roads," Eppley said, outlining the life-cycle curve for pavement and the cost advantages of earlier intervention.
Eppley recommended asking developers to perform an initial preservation treatment before turnover and suggested a municipal usage fee for roadways as a funding option; he also offered training for staff and council on preservation principles. Council members asked about contractor warranties, QA processes and how trail maintenance might be coordinated with roadway projects; Eppley and Thomas said QA and coordination are standard practice and that trails often benefit from the same high-density mineral-bond treatments if scheduled with roadway work.
Council did not take immediate action but asked staff to incorporate preservation priorities into capital planning and consider Eppley's training offer.
