SD Local Transportation Assistance Program (LTAP) By Andrew Peterson, Field Services Manager, SDLTAP It’s an eventful time of year with summer upon us. There are always many questions and problems that come about when dealing with roads and bridges on the local level. LTAP is here to help by providing the technical assistance, material, and training to solve those very issues. LTAP translates the latest highway and bridge technology into understandable terms for local government entities throughout the state. In linking transportation technology and local government, LTAP keeps local government officials informed about new publications, techniques, and training opportunities that may benefit their respective organization. A very important topic for many municipalities is pavement maintenance. With a limited budget, government agencies need every tool in the toolbox to extend the life of their roads and keep their stakeholders happy. This is obviously no easy task. The reality is, when applied at the optimal time, pavement preservation can extend the life of pavement by up to seven or more years. But that is not currently realistic for a lot of government agencies due to budget constraints and current road conditions. The longer maintenance is postponed, the greater the damage and the more expensive the repair. A planned maintenance strategy aimed at prolonging the life-cycle of the pavement is key, in order to retard future deterioration and maintain (and possibly improve) the functional condition of the pavement. There are three types of maintenance: (1) preventive, (2) corrective, and (3) emergency. Understanding which maintenance process to use will assist you in repairing and preserving your pavement appropriately. Unfortunately, much of the pavement maintenance is performed reactively. For example, many times street repairs and maintenance are prioritized by doing the “worst, first.” While this approach may seem logical to some, a more proactive approach would
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be to seal coat a street that was resurfaced three to five years ago. This would get your best value out of your money spent. It’s more of using the right application at the right time more than anything. A well-managed street department should have an established Pavement Management Program (PMP), which includes inspecting and rating all streets on an interval basis. A PMP will maintain awareness of existing conditions and will serve as a guide for future pavement repairs. Knowing the condition of your streets strengthens your budgeting and prioritizing decisions. SDLTAP is here to help you with training and technical assistance on topics, such as, asphalt maintenance, asphalt paving, culvert installation, defensive driving, geotextiles, gravel roads, personnel management, risk management, safety awareness, surveying, winter maintenance, and workzone traffic control. Check us out on Facebook at South Dakota Local Transportation Assistance Program and on our website at www.sdstate.edu/engr/ltap. SDLTAP Contacts: j Greg Vavra, Program Manager 605-695-0901 j Andrew Peterson, Field Services Manager 605-661-7882 j Ted Eggebraaten, Field Representative 605-691-4665 j Charles Fromelt, Field Representative 605-419-1172 j Cliff Reuer, Field Representative 605-209-8932 j Nancy Vehorn, Program Assistant 605-688-4185 (Office)
SOUTH DAKOTA MUNICIPALITIES
