Department of Facility Maintenance

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DIVISION OF ROAD MAINTENANCE

Pavement Preservation Program

Over time, traffic loads and environmental elements contribute to the deterioration of one of our most valuable assets: Oahu’s City roads. And with today’s challenges of shrinking budgets and the growing need to conserve our natural resources, it is important to preserve and protect this precious infrastructure, now more than ever.

Administered by the Department of Facility Maintenance’s Division of Road Maintenance, the Pavement Preservation Program was developed to slow down the deterioration of our roads. It is proactive maintenance to prevent the pavements from reaching a condition where major rehabilitation or reconstruction is necessary

To help better understand the program, this website contains information on the benefits and processes of pavement preservation. However, it is most important to know that these treatments are not “apply-and-forget” processes; they require time to dry, set, cure and settle into their final surface profile. Because of this, the public’s assistance is critical in ensuring that the preservation treatments are successful, providing a new road surface that is smooth and long lasting. Information on what can be done to help is provided on this site.

The Benefits of Pavement Preservation

• Cost effective strategy 
• Preserve the investments of our assets
• Maintains serviceability of our City roadways
 
Preventative maintenance costs are far less than the ultimate repair cost The diagram below is a typical life cycle curve for a pavement.  The curve is fairly flat in the initial years of the life cycle curve, over time, the pavement condition declines to a poor condition after it has aged approximately 75% of its life (typically 20 years).  Also, the curve shows that as the pavement condition worsens the treatment changes, resulting in higher treatment costs
As shown above, the cost comparison between preventative maintenance and reconstruction is more than 10 times.
RoadGraphic-04

The Process of Pavement Preservation

Pavement Preservation is a 2 step process, consisting of: 

STEP 1: PREPARATION
STEP 2: TREATMENT APPLICATION

STEP 1: PREPARATION

This phase involves the following:

• CRACK SEALING
• CURB AND GUTTER RECONSTRUCTION
• BLOCK PATCHING
(to address localized pavement failures)
• REMOVAL OF PAVEMENT MARKINGS

CRACK SEALING

 

Placement of crack sealant above or into asphalt pavement prevents water penetration, which can accelerate the deterioration of the pavement, resulting in potholes and base failures.

Using a compressed air blow gun to clear dirt and debris from areas to be filled with crack seal material.
A worker applies crack seal material to a road.
A special oil is sprayed on freshly applied crack seal, to decrease the tackiness of the surface until it has completely set.
Freshly applied crack seal material
Finished crack sealing on a road.

CURB AND GUTTER RECONSTRUCTION


Localized failures of existing concrete curb and gutters are removed and reconstructed as necessary.

Curb & gutter recontruction
Workers performing curb and gutter reconstruction.

BLOCK PATCHING

 

Localized pavement failures such as potholes and alligator cracks are excavated and block patched.

A section of pavement removed as part of the patching process.
Workers completing the patching of a section of road.

REMOVAL OF PAVEMENT MARKINGS

 

Existing thermoplastic pavement markings or striping are removed and replaced with paint or temporary markers as necessary.

Workers applying crosswalk markings in Makiki.

TRAFFIC CONDITIONS DURING THE PREPARATION PHASE

  • On street parking will be affected
  • Work Zone will be protected by flaggers
  • No road closures during crack sealing work
RoadGraphic-04

STEP 2: TREATMENT APPLICATION

 

Treatment Application is the final phase of the Pavement Preservation process.  Depending on the condition of the road and the volume of traffic
in the area, one of the following is used:

  • SLURRY SEAL
  • SEAL COAT

SLURRY SEAL APPLICATION

Slurry seal is a mixture of aggregate, emulsified asphalt, water and additives properly proportioned, mixed and overlaid approximately 1/4 inch over the prepared pavement surface. 

Slurry seal application on 17th Avenue in Kaimuki.
Slurry seal appears brown in color when first applied (left image), but appears black when dry (right image).

WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER A SLURRY SEAL APPLICATION

 

After slurry seal is applied, it’s natural for the new surface to have some irregularities in texture.  These may include slight ridges, drag marks and/or color variations, and are due to the following: 

  • The environmentally friendly nature of the treatment’s ingredients
  • Remnants of the installation process
  • The nature of the treatment material
  • Best practices for installing it quickly and economically

Inspectors continuously monitor the progress of the project to ensure that the treatment is applied properly and efficiently.  The photos below are examples of some of the irregularities that may be visible.

Color variations
Drag marks
Loose aggregate
Initial application of slurry seal on Puahau Pl, August, 2018. (Left) Slurry seal after one year on Puahau Pl, September 2019. (Right)
RoadGraphic-04

SEAL COAT APPLICATION

 

Seal coat is a uniform blend of asphalt emulsion, water, fine aggregate and various admixtures. Two application coats are applied using squeegee and spray techniques.

A worker uses a shield to prevent material going into areas not being covered with seal coat.
Seal coat material is applied using both heavy machinery and hand-held equipment.
Aerial view of a seal coat application in Pacific Palisades

TRAFFIC CONDITIONS DURING THE TREATMENT
APPLICATION PHASE

"Road Closed" sign in front of a road right after a Seal Coat application.

• Road closure is necessary during the Treatment Application Phase (Park your vehicle within walking distance of your residence if you need to leave after the start time of work, to ensure that you have access on or off your street).

• The roadway is reopened at 3:30 pm to all traffic.

• Two weeks prior to the installation of the surface treatment, local residents and businesses in the affected area will be notified through the U.S. Postal Service. The notice will include a work start date and projected times to help residents plan accordingly. A contact person will also be provided should you have any questions or concerns.

• The appropriate agencies will be contacted in advance so that essential services such as trash pickup, mail delivery and the bus are not disrupted while construction takes place.

• Two days prior to the installation of the surface treatment, barricades will be in place on the affected roadways with notification of roadwork and road closure.

RoadGraphic-04

YOUR KOKUA, PLEASE…

After slurry seal and seal coat are applied please avoid doing the following while operating your vehicle in the treated areas:

  • Fast accelerations 
  • Sharp turns 
  • U-turns
  • Speeding 
  • Sharp or hard braking/stops
  • Turning the steering wheel fully from left to right, or vice versa, when stationary
Damage to a freshly seal coated road.
"No Parking" barricades in place before and during a seal coat application.
RoadGraphic-04

PAVEMENT PRESERVATION STREET LISTING
AND LOCATION MAP

On Monday, September 23, 2024, the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Facility Maintenance (DFM) began performing necessary pavement repairs in the Kāhala area. This project also includes portions of Lēʻahi (Diamond Head) and is anticipated to be completed during the summer of 2025. Construction work is being performed Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., weather permitting and excluding all observed State holidays.

To view the list of streets being worked on, click here.

Motorists and pedestrians are asked to please avoid the work zones and use alternate routes if possible. If unable to avoid the area, allow for extra travel time and abide by posted traffic signs. Access to driveways fronting the affected properties may be restricted while work is being performed and emergency access will be accommodated as needed.

DFM’s consultant, WSP USA, will manage and coordinate the project, including local traffic, access to residences, deliveries, trash collection, and emergency services.  For any questions or about this project, please call WSP USA at (808) 566-2252.

 
Map indicating the roads being worked on in the Kahala area, starting on September 23, 2024.
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