Major resurfacing - video transcript

[Caption] Major resurfacing a Kent County Council video guide

Russell Boorman, a resurfacing team leader, talks us through the process of major road resurfacing.

Operative: Machine resurfacing is the most costly process of resurfacing that we undertake and is required when the existing surface has failed.

This means that we have to remove the existing surface and apply a new one, or apply a new surface on top. A process called planing is used to remove the existing surface to a predetermined depth; usually between 40 and 80 millimeters. This process is a noisy operation and can be time-consuming where there are unusual shapes within the existing highway layout.

Once the area has been planed, a mechanical sweeper is used to clean the surface prior to the application of bond-coat. This ensures a clean and dust free surface before the material is laid. The bond-coat ensures the new material adheres to the existing surface and is applied between each bituminous layer. Where necessary the existing ironwork is adjusted prior to the new surfacing layer or layers being applied. This is carried out using hand vibrating tools and unfortunately is extremely noisy.

A specialist paver machine is then used to lay the new surface, this is followed by vibrating rollers that compact and level the new surface. Kent County Council have adopted a new innovative method of ensuring that all layers are compacted correctly. An intelligent roller which uses GPS to track the progress of the rolling process by identifying straightaway any areas that require further rolling, whilst giving Kent County Council the confidence that correct compaction is being carried out and can immediately identify any areas which need re-rolling or further compaction.

It must be noted that during the whole process each vehicle will use an audible reversing warning sound this cannot be turned off as is a health and safety requirement to ensure that site operatives are kept safe. This sound can be obtrusive during the evening hours and we apologise for any inconvenience this causes.

Access and egress will be disrupted throughout the process, however we can allow access when safe to do so. By approaching the site operatives and discussing your requirements many issues can be resolved and accommodated. Once the new surface has been laid we will repaint the road markings and renew any high friction surfacing that has been removed during the process. This generally is on the approach to a roundabout, zebra crossing, or pedestrian crossing. The road will reopen once all works have completed this can span a number of days or nights.

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