Durham Reporter

Town of Morrisville issued the following announcement on Jul. 30. 

Throughout July and August, the Town of Morrisville has contracted to pave and repair streets, parking lots, and sidewalks throughout Morrisville. To complete street and parking lot paving and repairs the Town’s contractor, Fred Smith, will be employing new technology for the Town known as Slurry Seal. 

Slurry Seal Paving Technology

Slurry Seal (slurry) is a new polymer technology added to the asphalt emulsion on top of the existing pavement to “seal” the pavement’s surface.

Slurry is applied to roads with low to moderate distress and narrow crack width. Slurry applications serve to seal the cracks, preserve the underlying pavement structure, and provide a deep and rich black pavement surface color.

Slurry Seal Application

Prior to the slurry seal application, the road is swept and traffic is redirected and parked vehicles are moved from the road being paved. The slurry is spot applied or applied completely over the asphalt surface and allowed to dry for approximately 4 to 8 hours, depending on the weather. While drying no vehicles or objects should be on the slurry surface. The contractor’s crews will trim up street and parking lot edges as part of the process which will leave small piles of excess aggregate material. Aggregate material is usually removed with 24 hours. If you see material sitting too long, or there is material where it shouldn't be, call the Town’s liaison on your notice and they'll take care of it. Short Cul-de-sacs will be done all at once and will be closed for a minimum of four hours.

Slurry Surface Settling After Paving

Wet slurry typically has a brownish coloration. Dry slurry is a black color. Wet and freshly dried treatments are vulnerable to damage from vehicles, with high temperatures softening any type of asphalt material. Never drive on wet slurry unless you are willing to get it on your vehicle and your driveway. If in doubt, don't drive on it. If you must cross wet slurry, talk with the Town’s liaison about spreading some aggregate "sand" to allow you to do so safely. Their contact number is on your notice.

What to Expect

For the first two weeks after the install, the road’s surface may appear rough or uneven (ridges, drag marks) and slight color variation on the surface is normal. Fine surface gravel (no larger than a fourth of an inch in diameter) will wear out of the slurry surface's asphalt matrix. There may also be loose aggregate accumulating along the gutter. These elements of the installation process are all to be expected and are all due to the technology’s ingredients.

 Original source can be found here.