Road and Sidewalk Network -
Maintenance Activities
Similar to a car, municipal infrastructure does require regular maintenance to maximize its life. Throughout the year, the Roads and Streets Division focuses on the following maintenance activities to prolong the life of road and sidewalk infrastructure:
- Asphalt patching of winter potholes in the spring and early summer. Fine patching of cracks, small potholes, and manholes in the late summer and fall.
- Repair of short sections of sidewalk.
- Repair of short sections of curbing.
- Cutting of driveway openings.
- Removal of winter debris from roads and sidewalks in the spring followed by a road sweeping program throughout the summer and fall.
- Mowing of grass medians and selected road sections.
- Ditching, guide rail repair, and shouldering on rural road sections (No curbing).
- Cleaning and flushing of storm sewers drains.
- Manhole and storm sewer drain maintenance and repair.
Some of these maintenance activities may interfere with traffic. When needed, flag people will be present to direct traffic through or around the maintenance activity ensuring safety for both the maintenance workers and the motorist.
Any questions or concerns about the City's maintenance activities should be directed to the Engineering and Public Works Dispatch at (506) 460-2038 or publicworks@fredericton.ca.
Asphalt Patching
Patching and repairs to hazardous conditions on City streets is carried out as soon as possible after the hazard, such as a pothole, is discovered. Winter season and prolonged rainy periods will cause delays to permanent repairs; during this period the hazard is signed with warning signs, filled temporarily and monitored by Roads and Streets staff. Roads and Streets asphalt maintenance crews carry out planned and scheduled maintenance tasks during the summer construction season in an effort to prolong pavement life and reduce hazardous and untimely failures in the asphalt.
Curbs & Sidewalks
There are several options for repairing and reinstating curb and sidewalk.
Area where the concrete is nearing the end of its lifespan, asphalt may be substituted to repair prior to complete renewal of the concrete.
Uneven sidewalk blocks may be levelled with asphalt or ground level with a trackless-mounted grinding machine prior to complete renewal of the concrete.
Areas where the curb and sidewalk is in good or better condition, reinstatement is done to original specifications prior to concrete failure.
Decorative Approach
To improve the aesthetics of the downtown core, brick pavers were designed and built into the boulevards between concrete sidewalk and curb. This type of construction has proved to be a difficult maintenance issue and recently, trial sections in the downtown have been constructed using stamped asphalt with a brick design and brick coloured "paint" with encouraging results.
Grassed Boulevards
The right-of-way (ROW) along many roads in the City system is mowed regularly during the summer months, both for aesthetics and for safety. Intersections for example, must be kept clear of vegetation in order to maintain sight lines. In residential areas, the residents are responsible for maintaining the boulevard areas in front of their homes.
Ditching
The City maintains 292.35 km of ditching. Although vegetation with a strong root system is necessary in open ditches to prevent erosion, too much growth can restrict the design capacity of the channel and result in localized flooding during a rain event. Over time, vegetation and sediment gathers in such quantities that it must be removed.
Shouldering
The City maintains roads without curb which requires a gravel shoulder in order to contain the edge of the asphalt and to provide a margin of safety between pavement and the ditch. Shouldering is carried out on rural roads when they are built and/or resurfaced.
Guide Rails
The City maintains 20.7 km of guide rail throughout the City. Regular maintenance such as corroded rails and posts is generally scheduled for the fall. Repairs due to motor vehicle collisions are carried out as soon as possible after the incident.
Manholes
Manholes within the Streets and Sidewalks System are part of the infrastructure of the Water and Sewer Division, Roads and Streets Division or Utility companies. Utility companies are responsible for the maintenance and safety of their manholes to City standards. The City inspects, maintains and repairs City owned manholes as required.
Line Markings
Painting of traffic line markings, crosswalks and arrows are carried out annually from May to November. On Many busy streets, line painting is done twice per year.
Traffic Signs
Damaged traffic signs are repaired as soon as possible after the problem has been reported to the Roads and Streets Division. Temporary signs may be used until repairs can be completed, usually the next working day. Regularly scheduled maintenance to traffic signs include complete replacement of Stop and Yield signs every 10 to 12 years to ensure reflectivity.
Street Sweeping
Sweepers are deployed in the spring to clean up the winter accumulation of sand, dirt and debris. This process sees most streets completed within a 4 week period.
