Sealed Roads
The council manages 532km of sealed roads across the Central Otago District.
Why is resealing important?
The seal on a road is like paint on a house – it keeps water out of the structure underneath. Like paint, the seal breaks down over time, so the ideal time to reseal is just before the seal fails and starts to let water in. Most roads are resurfaced using chip seal, unless an alternative surface is recommended by Council engineers.
What is the Chip Seal Process?
- Minor repairs are completed in advance
- Residents are notified about one week before work starts
- Hot bitumen is sprayed, followed by stone chips, which are rolled in
- Excess chips are swept away, and road markings are reinstated
- Up to three additional sweeps may occur over the next six months
How Roads Are Chosen for Resealing
Council prepares a resealing programme every three years. Because funding is limited, roads are prioritised based on road hierarchy classification, surface condition and safety/ accessibility concerns. Where possible, resealing work is grouped by area to reduce costs.
