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Roadway Maintenance & Improvements
The Streets & Drainage Division work teams make many repairs and improvements to the streets and sidewalks in Athens-Clarke County. Below are descriptions and photos showing some of these repairs:
Pothole Patching
Small asphalt and concrete roadway repairs are called potholes. These repairs are typically no larger than a cooking pot. Anything larger is called a full depth roadway repair. A jack hammer is used to remove the area which includes the asphalt, stone base and any contaminated soil. The good soil is compacted then the asphalt is put down in layers of no more than 3 inches and compacted with a plate compactor.Full Depth Asphalt Roadway Patching
Pavement repairs that are larger than a cooking pot are called full depth asphalt roadway repairs. They are called this because the full depth of the failure is removed and repaired. The area to be removed is saw cut. Then the asphalt, the stone base and any contaminated dirt is removed. Crushed stone in put in the hole, and compacted, the asphalt tack is applied to the edges of the existing asphalt. The asphalt tack helps the new asphalt bond to the old asphalt and prevents water from seeping through the edges of the repair. New asphalt is put down in layers of no more than 3 inches at a time, and each layer is compacted with a smooth drum steel wheel roller.Full Depth Concrete Roadway Patching
There are only a few concrete streets in Athens-Clarke County; the majority are asphalt. Pavement repairs that are larger than a cooking pot on concrete streets are called full depth concrete roadway repairs. They are called this because the full depth of the failure is removed and repaired. The area to be removed is saw cut. Then the concrete, the stone base and any contaminated dirt is removed. Crushed stone in put in the hole, and compacted. Expansion material is installed next to the existing concrete to prevent cracking in the future. Concrete unlike asphalt is ridged and expands and contracts with the extreme temperature changes, causing the concrete to crack if the expansion material is not installed. Concrete roadway repairs are poured 8" thick, broom finished and left blocked off for 24 hours. If the section of street cannot be left blocked off for 24 hours, metal plates are put down to allow vehicle access.
Sidewalk Maintenance
Most sidewalks in Athens-Clarke County are constructed out of concrete. There are two commonly used methods of repairing concrete sidewalks. One method is to use a small milling machine to grind down the area that is uneven to make it safe to walk or jog on. The second method if the sidewalk is uneven due to cracking or settling is to remove the section(s) of sidewalk, compact the good soil, and pour in concrete. When tree roots have pushed up the sidewalk, the concrete is removed, the tree roots are covered up with plastic or gravel, the concrete is poured in level with the adjacent sections. Sidewalks are usually poured 4" thick but where tree roots are present, it maybe poured thinner so the structure or health of the tree is not jeopardized.Dirt Road Maintenance
The only dirt roads maintained by Athens-Clarke County are gravel. Crushed stone, comprised of stone and dust, is used because it helps bind the stone together and lasts longer. A motorgrader (as shown in this picture) is used to shape the existing stone and crushed stone that is added when needed. Additional crushed stone is only needed if mud has come up through the existing stone.Dead Animal Removal
Urban Service District (Inside the Former Athens City Limits)
The Athens-Clarke County Solid Waste Department is responsible for removing dead animals in the urban service district (inside the former Athens City limits). The dead animal must be in the right-of-way and not on private property. The right-of-way consists of Athens-Clarke County maintained streets and sidewalks and a small area of property next to the street. To request the removal of a dead animal in the urban service district (inside the former Athens City Limits), please call 706 613-3501.
The Streets & Drainage Division is responsible for removing dead animals within the rural service district (outside the former Athens City limits). The dead animal must be in the right-of-way and not on private property. The right-of-way consists of Athens-Clarke County maintained streets and sidewalks and a small area of property next to the street. To request the removal of a dead animal in the rural service district (outside the former Athens City Limits), please call 706 613-3465.
View a Map of the Former Athens City Limits.