Keeping Our Streets in Good Shape

The City of Salem is committed to maintaining our streets. Each summer, City crews and contractors perform several pavement maintenance services as part of the street rehabilitation program. This program includes surface treatments like crack sealing, slurry sealing, cape sealing, and chip sealing.

How Streets Are Chosen

The City uses a Pavement Management System to select which roadways will be treated. Residents living on the selected streets will be notified, and City crews will prepare the streets for slurry sealing. During this preparation, some streets may have restricted parking or access. These restrictions will be short, and affected residents will receive door hangers from the contractors.

What to Expect During Construction

While construction is happening, some streets will be temporarily closed. Residents affected by full closures will receive multiple letters from the City and a notice 72 hours before the street closures begin.

About Slurry Seal

Slurry seal adds a new protective layer to existing asphalt streets. By sealing the surface, the base of the road is protected from water damage, and the surface is shielded from weathering.

Slurry seal is made from a petroleum-based emulsion mixed with fine aggregate rock. This mixture is blended on-site in a large truck and then applied evenly across the asphalt surface. A slurry seal is usually between ¼ and ⅜ of an inch thick. It is one of the most cost-effective tools the City has for maintaining pavement.

Preparing Selected Streets

The City of Salem uses a pavement management system to choose streets that need treatment. An employee visits each street to check its condition. Some streets may need more extensive repairs, like an asphalt overlay. The goal is to protect street surfaces early with a slurry seal, which can delay costly overlays for several years. Slurry seal can extend the life of a city street by up to 40 percent.

Before applying the slurry seal, City crews will seal cracks and patch defects in the street. This work may require several visits to your street due to the specific nature of each repair method. It can also be dusty and noisy.

Street Closures

During the slurry seal application, access to the street may be closed from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The crack sealing process will restrict access for at least 1 hour and up to 4 hours during this time. Please park on a nearby street outside the “NO PARKING” zone, especially if you plan to use your vehicle later that day. Remember to park only on streets where parking is allowed.

Streets are usually closed for just one day unless there are delays due to equipment failure, weather, or other unexpected issues. If your street is not sealed as planned, the work will be rescheduled, and you will receive a new notice 72 hours in advance.

Access for Mail and Other Services

Street closures should not significantly affect services like mail delivery, police, fire, public transportation, or garbage collection. These services are notified of the schedule, so they can make reasonable accommodations.

Avoiding Water Damage

Water can harm the appearance and sealing ability of the slurry. Please do not water lawns, wash cars, or do anything that could cause water to enter the street on the day your street is being slurry sealed. If it rains, the slurry seal work will be rescheduled, and you will receive a 72-hour notice.

Small Rocks Along Street Edges

After the slurry is applied, small rocks may collect along the edges of the street. This is normal and temporary. Some rocks do not stick completely and will eventually become loose. As cars drive on the street, these small rocks will be pushed to the edge. City street sweepers will clean up the rocks during their regular sweeping routes.