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Pavement Management

Crews resurfacing street in local neighborhood during annual summer pavement management program work

Maximizing Pavement Life

The City of Vancouver maintains about 1,900 lane miles of paved streets. Pavement management is a way of protecting this community asset and maximizing the life of our streets.

Overview

As part of Vancouver’s Pavement Management program, pavement conditions are evaluated annually and most cost-effective methods are identified to extend pavement life and improve the driving surface. When streets begin to fail, they fail quickly and the costs to repair them increase dramatically. To use resources most efficiently, the City’s primary focus has been on keeping good streets in good condition. 

Pavement Management 2024

Vancouver’s 2024 Pavement Management Program will invest approximately $12.6 million in planning, design and construction to improve pavement conditions throughout our community. Preparation work begins with proactive pruning as Urban Forestry staff coordinate street tree and vegetation trimming along identified streets from February through June.

From March through early July, construction of ADA-compliant curb ramps, pavement repairs and sealing of street cracks will also take place prior to paving and preservation work. Then, in most areas, actual pavement work will occur from late June through September.

More than 20 neighborhoods across Vancouver will see some type of pavement work. Along with numerous neighborhood streets, watch for preparations and pavement work along major corridors including Fourth Plain Blvd., Cascade Park Drive, SE 34th Street, and portions of SE 192nd Ave.

Resources

  • Pavement Map: The annual pavement program map shows streets anticipated as part of the workplan for this year. The streets shown can change based on funding, schedules and coordination with other utility work.
  • Pavement Schedule: The schedules tab lists pavement work and schedules during the summer months.

Resurfacing – hot mix asphalt paving – will occur on about 13 lane miles of streets on Fourth Plain Boulevard and NE 9th Street.

Pavement preservation – which includes microsurfacing, slurry seal, asphalt rubber chip seal, and cape seal treatments – is another big component of the City’s annual Pavement Management Program. For 2024, many miles of streets in east Vancouver will see some type of preservation used to protect and extend the life of the street. Those street segments include several major corridors: Southeast 34th Street, Cascade Park Drive and portions of Southeast 192nd Avenue. Several neighborhood streets within the North Image, Burnt Bridge Creek, Fisher’s Landing East and Fisher’s Creek neighborhoods will receive slurry seal preservation treatments.

Curb ramps at nearly 169 locations along the various project routes will be upgraded, as required by federal regulations, to current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards to improve accessibility and mobility for all.

Pavement Management Methods

  1. Resurfacing Paving (see tab above for more info)
      Asphalt Paving
      Street Rehabilitation
  2. Preservation Surface Treatments (see tab above for more info)
      Microsurfacing
      Slurry Seal
      Chip and Fog Seal
      Cape Seal
      Asphalt Rubber Chip Seal
      Bonded Wearing Course

More Resources and Contacts for General Questions

When will work occur?

Pavement preservation and pavement resurfacing typically occur from July to September each year. Schedules are listed in the notices you receive and on this page under the schedules tab. Rain and other conditions can affect schedules. If work is delayed due to rain or other issues, you will receive a new notice prior to work taking place.

What can I expect?

The following preparations, where required, will be done April to June in advance of street work:

  • Trimming trees and vegetation
  • Filling potholes and sealing cracks
  • Constructing ADA-compliant curb ramps

Next comes the actual preservation or resurfacing of the street. Any needed restriping will follow later.

Where can I get updates?

Throughout this work, you will get notices with details about your street. Information and updates can also
be found on this page. Look for posts on the Public Works Facebook and Twitter.

Pavement Reference Guide

  • Watch for no parking signs. Do not park on streets when work is scheduled. Vehicles will be towed if remaining on posted streets when crews arrive and work is ready to begin.
  • Keep vehicles, bikes, people and pets off the street’s surface until the contractor has reopened the street to traffic. Don’t risk getting material on your vehicle or tracking it onto your driveway.
  • Be prepared for delays. Plan ahead to avoid schedule conflicts while the street is closed.
  • Do not water or irrigate yards the day before or day of work. Turn off automatic sprinklers.
  • If your regular garbage/recycling collection is the same day as the scheduled work, please set out carts at 5:30 a.m. for pickup. Mail delivery may be delayed a day, however.
  • If any restriping is needed, this will follow later. Please do not drive over the wet paint
Resurfacing

Resurfacing Paving Projects

Pavement Resurfacing/Overlay

The City adopted a long-term Street Funding Strategy in 2015 to address pavement conditions and improve the overall street system for all users. As the funding has ramped up to its full implementation, Vancouver has expanded its pavement program to improve more streets.

Resurfacing Projects

The 2024 program will pave about 13 lane miles of street surfaces on Fourth Plain Boulevard and Northeast 9th Street.

Along Fourth Plain Boulevard, from Fort Vancouver Way to Andresen Road, the Pavement Management Program will join forces with the Community Development Department’s Transportation Planning Division to implement new street elements along this stretch as phase two of the improvements are installed after the paving work is completed. Vancouver community members have provided extensive input for this safety and mobility project.

Along NE 9th Street, from NE 112th Avenue to NE 127th Avenue, the Pavement Management Program will also coordinate with other city programs to upgrade water and sewer services prior to paving work.

To maximize available resources, the pavement program often join forces with City utility projects for repaving after utility work is completed. 

Rehabilitation Projects

Several miles of residential streets currently in poor or failed condition are typically resurfaced/rehabilitated each year. Funding for rehabilitation of residential streets is supported by the City’s adopted long-term Street Funding Strategy to take care of and improve our community’s street system. 

Resources

Pavement Map: The annual pavement program map shows streets anticipated as part of the workplan for this year. The streets shown can change based on funding, schedules and coordination with other utility work.

Reference Guide: Get tips for upcoming pavement work including details about parking restrictions, watering restrictions and potential weather-related delays, along with general dos, don’ts and other resources.

Project Phases

Phase 1 – Curb Ramps

Preparations begin for the annual summer paving projects with curb ramp work along streets slated for overlay paving. This first phase of construction involves installing new or reconstructing identified pedestrian ramps to bring those corners up to current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) required standards. This occurs several months prior to actual paving work. See tab above for more information.

Phase 2 – Pre-paving Preparations

In the second phase, crews will repair pavement by removing the most badly damaged areas and rebuilding those pavement sections. This is followed by pre-leveling of low areas where needed.

Phase 3 – Grinding and Paving

The third phase involves the actual grinding and paving of the street surface. Please remember that all paving is highly dependent upon weather and construction conditions.

Phase 4 – Striping and Finishing

Following paving, crews restripe streets and complete any finishing work, such as replacing speed cushions and signal detection loops.

What is an Overlay?

Overlays are a mixture of coarse rock and asphalt, about two inches or more in depth that provide additional load carrying capacity and a smoother ride. One major consideration of resurfacing streets is the ability to coordinate that needed work with other street, water, sewer and underground utility improvements. For example, the City often maximizes available dollars by scheduling overlay as a final step in various water/sewer repair work and Sewer Connection Incentive Program (SCIP) projects.

What to Expect Prior to Paving?

In most cases, residences and businesses fronting impacted streets receive door hanger notices in advance of paving. Within construction zones, drivers are asked to be prepared for delays, watch for traffic changes, proceed slowly, and be alert to construction workers, bicyclists, pedestrians and other motorists. Regardless of the type, all paving applications are highly weather dependent.

Construction hours are typically from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, though work may continue as late as 8 p.m. if needed. All paving applications are highly weather dependent. In case of rain, paving must be postponed and rescheduled.

The first phase of work includes reconstruction of pedestrian ramps to bring those corners up to current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) required standards and any modifications to traffic signals. Then pre-paving repairs are done on the most badly damaged areas by excavating below the existing pavement and replacement of base materials. Finally, work continues with grinding, followed by actual paving. Crews finish up with restriping the streets.

Questions?

Construction questions during summer street work:
Public Works Construction Services: 360-487-7750
7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday

Files

Pavement Reference Guide

Preservation

Preservation Surface Treatment Projects

What is Pavement Preservation? 

There are a variety of preservation (preventive) treatments used to extend the life of streets at a much lower cost than a standard asphalt overlay. The type selected for a particular street depends upon several factors, such as current surface condition, carrying capacity and travel use. Pavement Management’s preservation (preventive street treatment) projects alternate each year between the east and west sides of Vancouver. The focus for 2024 is on neighborhood areas east of Interstate 205.

2024 Preservation Treatments

For 2024, several streets in east Vancouver will see some type of preservation used to protect and extend the life of the street. Those street segments include some major corridors: Southeast 34th Street, Cascade Park Drive and portions of Southeast 192nd Avenue. Several neighborhood streets within the North Image, Burnt Bridge Creek, Fisher’s Landing East and Fisher’s Creek neighborhoods will receive slurry seal preservation treatments. Advance tree trimming, curb ramp upgrades and crack sealing/repairs occurred where needed. Actual pavement work typically takes place between July and September.

Resources

Pavement Map: The annual pavement program map shows streets anticipated as part of the workplan for this year. The streets shown can change based on funding, schedules and coordination with other utility work.

Reference Guide: Get tips for upcoming pavement work including details about parking restrictions, watering restrictions and potential weather-related delays, along with general dos, don’ts and other resources.

Curb Ramp Improvements Prior to Surface Treatments

As a precursor to the surface treatment work, crews often install new intersection curb ramps or retrofit existing curb ramps at various, identified intersection locations to meet compliance requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Streets receiving treatments that are considered an alteration – such as asphalt overlay paving, microsurfacing and cape sealing treatments – are required to be upgraded so that existing curb ramps meet current ADA requirements. See tab above for more information.

What to Expect Prior to Street Work?

In most cases, residences and businesses fronting impacted streets receive door hanger notices in advance of pavement street work. Within construction zones, drivers are asked to be prepared for delays, watch for traffic changes, proceed slowly, and be alert to construction workers, bicyclists, pedestrians and other motorists. Regardless of the type, all pavement applications are highly weather dependent.

Construction hours are typically from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, though work may continue as late as 8 p.m. if needed. All paving applications are highly weather dependent. In case of rain, work must be postponed and rescheduled.

Types of Pavement Preservation:

Microsurfacing begins as a coarse liquid application of dense-grade aggregate, asphalt emulsion, water and mineral fillers. The quick-setting emulsion allows traffic to begin using the new surface in a short time, as little as an hour depending upon conditions. As the product cures, the surface becomes smoother. The finished sealant forms a thin shell over the street’s existing asphalt surface, extending the life of the underlying pavement. Microsurfacing applications are generally applied on arterial and higher volume streets. 

Slurry Seal is a mixture of fine rock, asphalt, and water placed on the pavement about ¼-inch thick to protect the surface from sun and rain. Slurry seal applications are generally applied on lower volume local and residential streets.

Chip Seal is a layer of sprayed emulsified asphalt and then a layer of new rock. A chip seal treatment typically extends the life of a road by seven to 10 years and provides a new sealed surface at a fraction of the cost of a standard asphalt overlay.

Cape Seal is a surface treatment that begins with a chip seal and then combines a final slurry seal, or even a microsurface, application. This treatment can greatly extend the life of the roadway.

Chip and Fog Seal treatment begins with a chip seal and then is finished up with a fog seal. Chip seal methods can include an asphalt rubberized chip seal or a ¼-inch chip seal, both helping increase durability, decrease loose chips and improve smoothness of the street. The type of chip seal method used depends on the amount of current traffic on the roadway.

Asphalt Rubber Chip Seal is a treatment that involves an asphalt rubber binder being applied to the street, then topped with a layer of chipped rock. Crews then apply a fog seal – a thin layer of liquid asphalt that coats and preserves the pavement to extend its life – to the surface. 

Bonded Wearing Course is an open-graded, thin hot-mix asphalt mixture applied over a thick polymer asphalt emulsion membrane. The high binder content seals the underlying road, protecting it from water infiltration and slowing the aging process. Bonded wearing courses have been used throughout the country and were used in Vancouver for the first time in 2018.

Questions?

Construction questions during summer street work:
Public Works Construction Services: 360-487-7750
7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday

ADA Curb Ramps

Annual Curb Ramp Program

ADA Sidewalk Curb Ramps

Sidewalk curb ramps that are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) help people with disabilities safely transition from the street to the sidewalk and vice versa. The City is required to evaluate and add ADA ramps where needed as part of its Pavement Management program. Following Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) guidelines, streets receiving treatments that are considered an alteration – such as asphalt overlay paving, microsurfacing and cape sealing treatments – are required to be upgraded so that existing curb ramps meet current ADA requirements. In areas where ADA-compliant ramps exist, no changes are currently required.

2024 Program

Curb ramps at nearly 169 ramp locations along the various project routes will be upgraded, as required by federal regulations, to current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards to improve accessibility and mobility for all. This work is part of the annual Pavement Management Program and takes place in advance of coming street pavement improvements. Crews typically perform this work from March through early July. Federal requirements mandate that curb ramps be upgraded to current ADA-compliant standards along streets receiving treatments that are considered an alteration, such as paving or cape sealing.

Sidewalk curb ramps along Fourth Plain Boulevard, from Fort Vancouver Way to Andresen Road, are being upgraded to improve pedestrian accessibility.  Construction of new ADA-compliant curb ramps occurred at about 20 street corners along the corridor.

Sidewalk curb ramps at various locations along project routes in east Vancouver were upgraded to improve pedestrian accessibility. Construction of new ADA-compliant curb ramps took place at 74 street corners along several corridors, including locations on Southeast Mill Plain Boulevard, Southeast 164th Avenue, Southeast 34th Street and the Airport Green Neighborhood.

Sidewalk curb ramps at locations along project routes in west Vancouver were also upgraded to improve pedestrian accessibility. Construction occurred at 36 street corners along several streets, with most of the work located at corners along West Fourth Plain, from Lincoln Avenue to Main Street.

Resources

Pavement Map: The annual pavement program map shows streets anticipated as part of the workplan for this year. The streets shown can change based on funding, schedules and coordination with other utility work.

What is an ADA Curb Ramp?

Curb ramps help people with disabilities safely transition from a roadway to a curbed sidewalk and vice versa. A curb ramp is a short ramp cutting through a curb or built up to it. ADA standards require that curb ramps include “detectable warnings,” such a series of small domes that contrast in color with the surrounding sidewalk or street, which are added once the ramps are in place. The City is required to evaluate and add ADA ramps where needed as part of its Pavement Management program. Curb ramps are a small but important part of making pedestrian routes accessible to everyone. 

Questions?

If you have questions about the ADA curb improvements, please contact Chris Sneider, Pavement Program Manager in Vancouver Public Works at 360-487-8177.

If you have questions regarding construction work, please contact Vancouver Public Works’ Construction Services at 360-487-7750.

Schedules

Pavement Management Program | Updated Oct. 2024

General Timelines

The City’s annual Pavement Management Program protects and improves street conditions throughout Vancouver. Preparations for summer resurfacing and preservation treatments start early each year.

Proactive Pruning: The Pavement Management Program coordinates with Urban Forestry to care for and replant street trees. Tree and vegetation pruning begins in February and continues through June, with new street trees planted during fall. Proactive street tree pruning helps protect the health and structure of trees. Trees shading Vancouver streets cool neighborhoods and extend pavement life.

ADA Curb Ramps: Typically starting in March or April, ADA curb ramp upgrades will occur. Federal requirements mandate that curb ramps be upgraded to current ADA-compliant standards along streets receiving treatments that are considered an alteration, such as paving or cape sealing. In areas where ADA-compliant ramps exist, no changes are required.

Pavement Prep: Preliminary pavement crack sealing and repair usually take place from March through early July. In some areas, crews will mill off failed areas to prepare the street for pavement work later in the summer.

Summer Work: The Pavement Management work of resurfacing, rehabilitation and pavement preservation typically takes place from the middle of June through early September. Any striping/pavement markings removed during street work will be reapplied after the surface is ready. Please allow for curing time and weather conditions.

Resurfacing Work

Fourth Plain Boulevard, from Fort Vancouver Way to Andresen Road

Pavement resurfacing on Fourth Plain, from Fort Vancouver Way to Northeast Andresen Road, begins July 29. Working hours are from approximately 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. Monday through Friday, and into Saturday mornings. Construction will occur at night to minimize traffic disruptions and help alleviate impacts to commercial businesses. Work is anticipated to finish up in November.

Crews will work from west to east, working on one lane at a time. Watch for flaggers and travel carefully in work zones. Crews will start on the section from Fort Vancouver Way to General Anderson, beginning by grinding out existing pavement, then performing pavement repairs and completing by paving with new hot mix asphalt. Once grinding is complete on the first section, the grinder will move to the eastern section from General Anderson Avenue to Andresen Road. Work on repairs and paving will follow.

Paving work is expected to wrap up toward the end of August/early September. Implementation of pavement striping and new street elements along Fort Vancouver Way to Northeast Andresen Road will occur after the paving work is completed, with this striping anticipated to last about four to six weeks.

Northeast 9th Street, from Northeast 112th Avenue to Northeast 127th Avenue

Pavement resurfacing on Northeast 9th Street, from Northeast 112th Avenue to Northeast 127th Avenue, will occur from September 27 through October 11. General paving work hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

There will be a temporary restriction to eastbound traffic during this time. For the entire length of NE 9th Street and for all hours of the day, only westbound traffic will be allowed to travel through this area. Side streets and driveways will be open to local access only. After pavement work is finished, bicycle/mobility lanes will be added to both sides of the street and speed tables will be rebuilt to continue efforts to slow traffic along NE 9th Street in the Fircrest Neighborhood.

Pavement Preservation Treatments

Many streets in east Vancouver are scheduled for preservation treatment helping to protect and extend the life of the street. Work will be coming soon to some major corridors including Northeast 136th/138th Avenue, Southeast Mill Plain Boulevard, Southeast 164th Avenue, Southeast 34th Street, Cascade Park Drive and Southeast 192nd Avenue. Watch for schedule details to be posted soon.

Microsurfacing & Street Striping: Southeast 34th Street

Safety and mobility upgrades are underway on Southeast 34th Street between Southeast 164th and Southeast 192nd avenues. Following the microsurfacing treatment on the corridor, crews will install new permanent striping. This work will be performed at night and continue through the week of October 7. General night work hours are 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. There will be some daytime work on sign installation.

New elements to increase safety and mobility for all travelers include:

  • Mobility lanes to provide a dedicated space for bicyclists and people using active mobility devices
  • Repurposing a vehicle travel lane to add lanes for bicyclists and those using mobility devices
  • A painted buffer that separates mobility lanes from vehicle travel lanes
  • Green bars that extend the mobility lanes through the intersection
  • Adjustments to the intersections of Southeast 34th Street with Southeast 164th Avenue and Southeast 192nd Avenue to have single left-turn lanes

Microsurfacing: Cascade Park Drive, from SE Talton Way to south of SE 162nd Ave.

Crews applied a microsurfacing treatment to Cascade Park Drive on August 6 and 7.

Cape Seal: Postposed for Airport Green Neighborhood

Due to delays with the contractor and school starting in late August, the pavement preservation treatment will be postponed. Work is anticipated to be part of next year’s pavement program. Because school starts soon, we don’t want pavement work to interfere with school buses or other school traffic in or near your neighborhood. We want to keep safety a priority for both vehicles and students walking or rolling to school.

Crews recently completed ADA-compliant curb ramp upgrades, crack sealing and various pavement repairs. This preliminary work to prepare these streets for the cape seal treatment will help protect and extend the life of streets within the Airport Green neighborhood.

Microsurfacing: Postponed for several East Vancouver streets

Due to delays with the contractor and school starting in late August, the pavement preservation treatment will be postponed for the following streets. Work is anticipated to be part of next year’s pavement program. During summer months, crews completed ADA-compliant curb ramp upgrades, crack sealing and various pavement repairs. This preliminary work to prepare these streets for the mircrosurfacing treatment will help protect and extend the life of streets.

Microsurfacing work postposed to spring/summer 2025:

  • Northeast 136th/138th Avenue, from Northeast 4th Street to Northeast 18th Street (anticipated as night work)
  • Southeast Mill Plain Boulevard (anticipated as night work)
    • from Southeast 136th Avenue to Southeast Hearthwood Boulevard
    • from Southeast 164th Avenue to Southeast 172nd
  • Southeast 164th Avenue, from Southeast Mill Plain Boulevard to Southeast 34th Street Avenue (anticipated as night work)
  • Southeast 192nd Avenue, from Southeast 34th Street to the westbound off-ramp at SR-14 North (anticipated as night work)
  • Northeast 28th Street, between Northeast 127th and Northeast 143rd avenues

Resources

Pavement Map: The annual pavement program map shows streets anticipated as part of the workplan for this year. The streets shown can change based on funding, schedules and coordination with other utility work.

Reference Guide: Get tips for upcoming pavement work including details about parking restrictions, watering restrictions and potential weather-related delays, along with general dos, don’ts and other resources.

All pavement work is highly weather dependent, and schedules can change.