Porirua’s annual resurfacing programme looks to optimise the life of the city’s roading network through cost effective, value for money, maintenance.
The programme is an integral part of the city’s asset management strategy. It is developed from the city’s 30-year forward works programme, which is prioritised through an annual condition rating of the entire network; looking at its age, defects, maintenance costs and future maintenance risks.
Chip seal is used for resurfacing in most instances, as per Council policy, to improve the life and value for money of our roads.
Asphalt is used in areas of high-stress such as cul-de-sac turning circles and busy intersections.
Before resurfacing a road, we check and fix any drainage issues, and we do pre-seal digouts to fix sections of road that are failing.
Find out more about:
The following roads or sections of road were included:
CBD
Elsdon
Kenepuru
The section of Kenepuru Drive between #15 and Titahi Bay Road roundabout is not included as the area is due to be redeveloped to improve the intersection at Lower Main Drive as part of a bigger project.
Papakowhai/Aotea
Titahi Bay
Ranui
Whitby
We resurfaced the following roads, or sections of road, during the 2021-22 resurfacing programme
Aotea
Elsdon
Papakowhai:
Porirua City Centre (all asphalt)
Plimmerton
Ranui
Whitby
*Please note, Kenepuru Drive and Semple St have been moved to next year's resealing programme due to works planned on both roads this year. This work would have impacted on the new surface so the resurfacing will now be carried out once the construction works are completed.
Road surfacing was completed on the following roads, or sections of road, in the 2020-21 programme, which took place during February and March 2021.
Moana Road, Plimmerton:
- Chipsealing between numbers 1 & 59
Postgate Drive, Paremata:
- Asphalting: SH58 to Bosun Tce
- Asphalting: Postgate Drive and Omapere St intersection
Spinnaker Drive
- Chipsealing between numbers 16 and 77
- Asphalting of the intersection with Discovery Drive
Asphalting - The structural asphalt being used for busy intersections in this year’s resealing programme is a “new” superior performing product that is the same as the product used on SH58 and Centerport. It has been intentionally designed to cope with poorer road subgrade commonly found on the Porirua network to ensure a longer-term result. The cost difference is insignificant, and it will result in a longer lasting finish that will be better value over its whole of life.
Chip sealing - A new approach to chip sealing some of Porirua’s less busy intersections will be used this year after a trial showed it was effective at reducing chip loss caused by turning vehicles. The new seal is a chip and sand seal combination (a type of Cape Seal), which looks lighter than standard chip seal. It involves applying a two-coat chip seal, followed by a polymer modified bitumen emulsion and a material known as AP5 or crusher dust. This material is less than 5mm in diameter. It can take time to settle and requires a thorough sweep to remove the fine chips and dust, so a standard 30km speed restriction will remain in place during that time. The new seal is more economical than using asphalt, which will still be used on key intersections. We are sharing the trial results with other Councils, with immediate interest from Wellington City.
The following roads or sections of road were resurfacing during the 2019/20 programme
Ascot Park
Cannons Creek
Elsdon
Pauatahanui
Pukerua Bay
Titahi Bay
Whitby
Rānui
Plimmerton
Chip seal is considered the best option in most reseal situations in terms of efficiency and function.
Asphalt surfacing is preferred in high-stress areas such as sharp turns, busy intersections and steep grades.
It is important to note that asphalt surfacing is six times more expensive than chip seal but does not give six times the life. It is also more expensive to maintain.
Chip seal consists of a membrane layer of bituminous material followed by stone chip. There are numerous types of chip seal and individual designs to determine the right one to use are done for every road section. The design takes into consideration the current roughness of surface, the volume of average annual daily traffic and likely stress to ensure the final chip seal design used delivers sufficient waterproofing and skid resistance.
**Note: Prior to chipsealing works, residents are given five days notice (which can be weather affected) and roads are swept 48 hours and then 7 days after being chipsealed to allow time for the chips to bed in. Please treat the roads with care during this time.
