Ararat Rural City Council has unveiled new road-maintenance strategies aimed at increasing infrastructure sustainability in the region.

As part of its 2023-24 capital works budget, the council will trial road optimisation and longevity initiatives.

Chief executive Tim Harrison said the council was committed to exploring cutting-edge and innovative road treatments, signalling a paradigm shift in resource allocation and infrastructure management.

Unlike conventional road-sealing techniques, OTTA uses graded aggregates to establish a resilient surfacing layer, reducing the necessity for extensive reconstruction.

Dr Harrison said the council had planned a trial of OTTA seals – a cost-efficient road treatment from Norway tailored to Australian conditions.

He said the application process, augmented by polymer-modified rapid-setting bitumen emulsion, would ensure durability and underscore council’s commitment to environmentally-
sustainable practices.

The road seals cost a fraction of conventional road reconstruction, catering to roads with traffic volumes of less than 200 vehicles a day.

Dr Harrison said the seals were suitable for several unsealed rural roads in the Ararat region.

“The introduction of OTTA seals marks a watershed moment in road maintenance methodologies, providing a sustainable solution that harmonises cost-effectiveness with environmental stewardship,” he said.

Dr Harrison said OTTA seals would reduce maintenance expenditures for currently unsealed roads.

He said the council aimed to apply the treatment across segments of Ararat’s unsealed road network, ensuring resilient, cost-effective and sustainable community roads.

The entire April 24, 2024 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!

The entire April, 24, 2024 edition of AgLife is available online. READ IT HERE!