City of Milton, Georgia Finds New Solution for Asphalt Preservation
Tucked away in central Georgia, Milton is an affluent town about 30 miles north of Atlanta. Incorporated in 2006, this sprawling equestrian city is home to over 40,000 residents (and 200-plus horse farms). Since its incorporation as a City, Milton has put pavement preservation at the forefront of their public works policy. After dealing with rising material costs, the city found an innovative solution with HA5 High Density Mineral Bond.
The Problem
As the town of Milton began building plans for the future of their city’s infrastructure, city managers felt the sting of rising costs. To extend the life of their asphalt assets, they were determined to find alternative solutions that made more sense in the city budget.
The Solution
The City of Milton, Georgia, found a way to save money and maintain their streets with HA5. Rather than continuing to pour funds into frequent repair projects, city managers discovered they could considerably extend the life of their asphalt by investing in a premium-quality, long-term preservation product.
Georgia Road Costs Have Increased by 80%
While Milton is a relatively affluent area, even the wealthiest cities have felt the oppressive rising costs of road construction in Georgia. In fact, according to Georgia’s Department of Transportation Commissioner, the cost of resurfacing projects rose 80% between 2020 and 2023.
Matthew Fallstrom, Capital Projects Manager for the City of Milton, Georgia, cited inflation as an issue for the town as well. “The biggest challenges right now are the costs of doing business and material costs,” he said.
With traditional asphalt sealing products, city managers often find themselves spending an exorbitant amount on Georgia pavement preservation every one to three years. This constant re-sealing not only gouges city budgets but also causes a significant disruption to communities by blocking access to roads.
How HA5 Extends the Life of Georgia’s Asphalt Assets
Asphalt is one of the most expensive assets in any city, but it can also be the most difficult to maintain. Because asphalt is made from crushed materials (aggregates) mixed with a binding agent (bitumen), it’s inherently vulnerable to the elements. Asphalt must remain flexible to stay strong, but UV rays, harsh weather, and heavy vehicle traffic threaten this flexibility.
Without proper maintenance, the asphalt’s binding agent becomes dry and brittle from sun exposure, leading to cracking and other undesirable outcomes. Repairing asphalt damage is costly and disruptive, and a poorly maintained road can result in total asphalt replacement.
Using a product like HA5 ensures that these huge municipal investments are less susceptible to damage, protected from daily wear, and last much longer. With a specialized, non-ionic emulsion, the chemical makeup of HA5 allows for superior protection against oxidative aging than other sealant products, and keeps excessive moisture away from vital oils.
With over 200 days of sunshine each year, Georgia pavement is especially vulnerable to cracks and other damage caused by UV exposure. The state is also considered a humid subtropical climate and receives over 50 inches of rain each year (well above the national average of around 30 inches per year). All of this moisture leads to higher oxidation rates in Georgia asphalt, especially without a high-quality preservation sealant.
In Milton, the difference has been significant. “With the High Density Mineral Bond HA5, we have pushed the life of the road out seven to ten years,” said Fallstrom.
HA5 Saves on Costs and Preserves Pavement for Longer in Milton
Milton city managers say the choice to preserve asphalt with HA5 has made a noticeable difference in the town’s budget.
“Having HA5 in the toolbox…allows us to extend the life of our asphalt so that we’re not having to spend as much,” said Fallstrom. Rather than pouring funds into repairs and frequent re-sealing projects, the city has been able to “spend a little at the beginning” of an asphalt preservation project and “extend the life of the road.”
This is especially important amid Georgia’s road project inflation problem. Using HA5, cities across the state can benefit from generous long-term savings.
Fallstrom also mentioned the HA5’s appeal to Milton residents. “It’s cost-effective and gives the residents what they want. They want the new-road feel.” Preserving streets with High Density Mineral Bond makes asphalt look new, black, and smooth for years.
Protect Asphalt Investments with HA5
Whether you’re battling rising road project costs or looking to save money in an HOA reserve study, HA5 provides real savings with a premium-quality product.
When asked what advice he would give to other cities, Fallstrom said, “If you’re looking to get more involved in pavement preservation, reach out to some of the municipalities that have already started the process.”
For Fallstrom, there’s no better proof than seeing HA5 firsthand. “We’re always willing to share and show how it works for us,” he said. “I would absolutely recommend HA5 to any municipality, HOA, commercial development…anybody looking to protect that investment.”
Contact us today to find out more about HA5 High Density Mineral Bond, and how your city can benefit from its cost-savings in asphalt preservation. Check out more of our case studies below for real customer success stories.
Related Case Studies
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Fourteen years ago, the city made the difficult decision to focus the budget away from the worst roads and toward the best roads. The strategy required educating the public, and it has paid off. The results are better roads with less of a financial burden on taxpayers. Your city can do it too.