Slurry Sealing 3.8 Million Square Yards

“We applied a Type I slurry to the newer streets where this would be the third slurry application,” Reimschiissel says. “This consisted of 30 percent of the project. The Type I was an 1/8-inch aggregate that is used in low wear traffic areas. The Type II was used in the older areas where this would be the fifth application, and it consisted of 70 percent of the project. The Type II slurry was a ¼-inch aggregate.”

According to Reimschiissel, the Type I was applied to the newer streets that were about 15 years old while the Type II slurry seal was applied to streets that were around 30-40 years old. A Type II slurry seal is also applied to a few collectors in the area. “We were usually able to open up the streets about 2-2.5 hours after applying the slurry seal,” Reimschiissel says. “We averaged a daily application rate of 10 pounds for Type I and 13 pounds for Type II.”

Managing traffic challenges

While the application process went smoothly, Reimschiissel did experience a few challenges with managing the residential traffic. Completing its own traffic control, American Pavement Preservation had to take several additional steps to inform the residents about the scheduled work.

“We have to turn in around 30-40 traffic plans for various locations and applications into the city,” Reimschiissel says. “The City of Las Vegas is concerned about its residents, and they want to take care of them. So, we have to put out two notices to the residents — one seven days ahead of time and one a day before.

“The first notice says when we will be coming and slurry sealing their street, and it tells them to be prepared their street will be closed,” he continues. “We always include a cell phone number on the bottom of the street so residents can easily reach us with questions.”

Reimschiissel’s second notice is sent out 24 hours before they begin working. This notice describes the slurry seal stating it will be wet when applied and that it takes a few hours to dry. It also directs residents to not drive on the street until the barricades are moved.

At 24 hours before the slurry seal date, the crew hangs no parking signs on the street scheduled for work. “The no parking signs remind residents they can’t park in that area the following day because work is going to happen tomorrow,” Reimschiissel says. “It also helps direct them to park on other streets that do not have the no parking signs.”

Since the majority of the work is residential, the American Pavement Preservation crew completed the slurry seal work during the week. However, the project included a few areas with businesses and schools requiring the crew to complete the slurry seal project on the weekends.

Working on such a large project in both residential and business areas requires the teamwork of a great crew to make the project successful. “You’ve got to be able to produce and make sure the work is good,” Reimschiissel says. “We’ve got a good crew, and that’s one of the reasons why this project goes as well as it does.”