What is Pavement Preservation?

Answer: Pavement preservation refers to maintenance treatments applied to the roadway to extend the life and quality of the road in the most cost-effective manner. 

What are the different pavement preservation treatments?

Answer: First, crews often conduct crack sealing, a crucial preparatory step where they fill large cracks with sealant. This procedure prevents water and debris from penetrating the pavement's structure, which can cause more severe damage. After sealing, crews return to apply the appropriate treatment to safeguard the asphalt further. 

• Slurry Seal: A protective coating that seals cracks and revitalizes the surface.
• Micro-paving: Like slurry seal, while also providing additional traction through the placement of fine aggregate.
• Overlay: A protective coating that seals cracks by applying a thicker asphalt layer, which creates smoother driving conditions and significantly extends the pavement's lifespan.

How do you determine what type of treatment the roadway needs?

Answer: Millcreek utilizes a roadway management program to monitor the Pavement Condition Index (PCI) of all streets under the city's maintenance. Every few years, we update the PCI to identify high-priority streets that require maintenance. 

How is pavement preservation funded? 

Answer: Most funding for pavement preservation maintenance comes from the gas tax. Due to the high demand for maintenance and the need to catch up on our preservation timeline, the city council has approved $1 million to help fund these efforts for the 2024-2025 fiscal year, which will be financed by sales tax.

How do you determine high-priority roads?

To identify high-priority roads for preservation, we assess several key factors, including the condition of the surface layers and sub-grade of the pavement, any planned utility work beneath the road, and the type of treatment required. We also consider the available budget for road maintenance. Our prioritization process begins with major and minor arterial streets, collector streets, and local neighborhoods, ensuring that each district in Millcreek receives adequate treatment.

Why is Millcreek Common Phase 2 being funded when our roads are deteriorating?

Answer: The Millcreek Common Phase 2 project is funded separately. Our city council collaborated with federal, state, and county partners to support the project through grants and bonds. These funds are distinct from our pavement preservation financing, and Millcreek Public Works continues to apply for as many grants as possible to support larger-scale projects.

Why did the recent pavement preservation treatment make the street look worse?

Answer: Following the completion of the treatment, the road surface may initially behave similarly to a gravel road due to dust and loose chips or aggregates settling. Over time, the ride quality will improve. It's important to note that not all pavement preservation is intended to smooth the roads; some treatments focus on extending the lifespan of the asphalt.

Select the Image to Check Out Our Pavement Preservation Plans

Who provides snowplowing services in Millcreek?
Answer: We contract with Salt Lake County Operations for all our snowplowing services. Residents can expect the same high-quality service as in previous years. 

In what order are roadways cleared?
Answer: #1 Priority: Major arterial streets connecting essential services, such as hospitals, fire and police stations, are cleared first. 
#2 Priority: Minor arterial streets, streets serving public schools, and steep hills are cleared next. #3 Priority: Collector and neighborhood streets will be cleared next, with cul-de-sacs and dead-end streets being the last to be removed. 

Why do trucks come along our street before a storm?
Answer: When sub-freezing temperatures are forecasted, plows apply a salt brine solution to prevent icing. They will return as snow accumulates to clear the roadways.

Why haven't the plows come to my neighborhood?
Answer: Storm intensity varies across the city. Plows are dispatched first to areas expecting the most significant snowfall, which can cause delays in regions experiencing light snow.

Can I park on the street during the winter?
Answer: No! Vehicles parked on the streets during snow events hinder plowing efforts and are at risk of damage. We have an ordinance (11.20.130) prohibiting street parking from November through April when snow is present. Please remember to remove garbage and recycling cans promptly on collection days. If plow trucks skip your street, it is most likely because a car is parked on the road!

Are all the streets in Millcreek city streets?
Answer: No, some streets, such as 3300 South, 700 East, State Street, and 4500 South, are state roads maintained by UDOT. Private streets marked with blue street signs handle their snow removal. For concerns related to state roads, visit UDOT's website.

What are the steps involved in the plowing process?
Answer: Initially, snowplows make a single pass down the road to create a usable pathway. Once the storm has ended, they return to clear the entire width of the road from curb to curb for a more thorough job.

What are the resident's responsibilities?
Answer: Driveway Approaches: Snow removal from driveway approaches is the resident's responsibility. Plows prioritize clearing roadways and cannot avoid pushing snow into driveway entrances. 
Placing Snow on Roadways: Per ordinance 14.20.105, snow may not be deposited from sidewalks or driveways onto city streets. 
Sidewalks: Property owners must clear sidewalks within 12 hours of snowfall. For storms ending between 5:00 PM and 6:00 AM, sidewalks must be cleared by 8:00 AM. 
Fire Hydrants: Keep fire hydrants clear of snow to ensure accessibility for emergency services.

How do I report that my street was missed?
Answer: If your street still needs to be plowed, wait at least 24 hours after the storm before you report it. Call Salt Lake County Public Works Operations at 385-468-6101 or email pwops-online@slco.org to report.