Despite road maintenance grants from Federal and State governments, figures show that many councils still face a significant backlog to bring local roads to a satisfactory condition.
As the cost of raw quarry materials continues to rise, unsealed roads are degrading faster than can be maintained. All the while, ratepayer expectations remain the same.
However, a growing number of councils and road authorities have discovered a cost-effective and sustainable solution, saving time and money whilst building stronger, longer lasting roads.
In particular, confronted with high costs, scarce materials and repeated disruption to road users, a council in central Victoria realised recently that their unsealed road maintenance practice of re-sheeting was unsustainable. They decided to rehabilitate one of their roads with PolyCom Stabilising Aid, and have since saved maintenance costs of $8900 in just nine months.
Furthermore, they have experienced a reduction in ratepayer complaints.
Prior to PolyCom treatment, the road was graded six times per year at a cost of $10,700 per annum. In the nine months since PolyCom was applied, the same road has required grading just once at a
cost of $1800.
Made in Australia, PolyCom strengthens the pavement to create a tightly-bound surface, increasing water resistance, which in turn reduces surface deterioration and the impact of traffic wear. PolyCom is applied by the council works crew and blended with the in-situ road materials using their own grader, roller and water cart.
The council intends to extend the PolyCom program across the road network, achieving significant savings for both council and the community.
Since applying PolyCom to their unsealed roads, this council has achieved triple bottom line win: financial, environmental and
social sustainability.
Contact Earthco Projects today on 1800 790 907 to find out more.
*Copy supplied by Earthco
