Road rejuvenation
Road rejuvenation is a treatment that delays the deterioration of the asphalt surface, keeping roads in optimum condition.
We regularly assesses each road to monitor and rate their condition and this is used to plan a systematic roadworks program of appropriate treatments.
Why we rejuvenate roads?
The asphalt surface of a road needs regular maintenance, just as a house or car does. For example, if a weather board house is not regularly repainted, the protective paint surface cracks and peels and the timber ends up rotting and boards need to be replaced. Similarly, if a road is neglected it will eventually require major reconstruction, at a much higher cost.
Constant exposure to sunlight, variations in temperature and weather all play their part in the deterioration of a road’s wearing surface. Such exposures oxidise the top of an asphalt surface causing its bitumen binder to become brittle and lose its resistance to cracking. The binder’s ability to retain stone in the asphalt mix is also affected.
Rejuvenating roads before they deteriorate will help to ensure they remain in good working order for years to come. This saves public money by avoiding the cost and disruption of major reconstruction work if left too long.
What does road rejuvenation involve?
Rejuvenating the asphalt involves the addition of certain types of oils that restore the mix to near its original proportions and increases the ductility of the binder, giving the asphalt surface back its flexibility
Once the treatment has fully penetrated into the road surface and has dried, vehicles can drive over them immediately.
On a typical warm day this will take about 1–4 hours.
Please do not attempt to drive a vehicle or walk on the road while the works are being performed without first obtaining approval to do so from onsite crews.
More information
To learn more about how we build, upgrade and maintain a safe and connected local road network, including how we prioritise road maintenance projects, visit our roads page.
Stay up to date with what's happening on our roads visit our roadworks and closures page.
Download our print-friendly fact sheet(PDF, 757KB) on road rejuvenation.