Crack sealing, microsurfacing bids approved

Street projects have already been determined for the city of Shawano for 2024, but the Shawano Common Council signed off on spending nearly $100,000 to help keep the streets not being rehabilitated going for just a little longer.

The council approved a $46,810 bid from Fahrner Asphalt Sealers for microsurfacing work, the lower of two bids submitted. The council also approved a $49,250 bid from Asphalt Seal and Repair for crack sealing, which beat out three other bidders for the project.

Scott Kroening, public works director, noted that the two programs help to keep the streets going well beyond their typical 20-year shelf life.

“This is probably the biggest bang for our buck to extend the lifetime of our streets,” Kroening said about the city’s crack sealing work. “We’ve been doing it for over 20 years. It’s always been a good program, I believe.”

Asphalt Seal and Repair has won bids the last two years for crack sealing, which prevents water from reaching and damaging the base material of the streets, and Kroening said the company has done excellent work. The company’s bid helped the project come in just under the city’s $50,000 budget, as the other three bids shot well above it.

Microsurfacing on city streets involves putting a slurry coat on the roads, and the program was started by the city in 2016.

“It’s like the slurry coat on driveways, but it’s much more than that,” Kroening said. “This is all to extend the life of that pavement and give her some longevity.”

Street life is usually 20 years, but with the two projects combined, Kroening said the streets can last another 10 years before complete rehabilitation is needed.

Kroening noted he likes the work Fahrner has done recently on Shawano streets, noting their project seems a little thicker, which translates to better patch work. Fahrner’s bid, though the lowest, was over the $45,000 budgeted for the program, but savings anticipated from other capital projects should compensate for the additional $1,810, according to Kroening.

Alderman John Hoeffs believes crack sealing has a better track record at extending street life.

“Crack sealing seems to last longer than the microsealing,” Hoeffs said.

lpulaski@newmedia-wi.com