Council trialling method to make roads safer

Maintaining a network of around 500 km of unsealed roads is a huge undertaking for any regional council, especially a council with a small population of just 5000 ratepayers.

Yet Yankalilla Council may have found an innovative method to maintain its unsealed roads thanks to a new partnership with PolyCom and Fulton Hogan.

Yankalilla Council Operations Manager Warren Kaeding, who was instrumental in setting up the partnership, said the council was currently under taking trials with a road stabiliser.

“Over time the condition of our unsealed road network has deteriorated. This is a safety concern and Yankalilla Council has moved quickly and with purpose to ensure any future and ongoing problems are alleviated,” said Kaeding.

“We needed a proactive approach rather than responding to crisis situations as they occurred. As the first council in South Australia to conduct these trials, we hope the results will encourage others to take our lead.”

PolyCom Stabilising Aid is a road stabilisation product, which has a pronounced effect on the behaviour of the road surface such that maintenance is reduced, which of course reduces life cycle costs. It is anticipated road degradation with current rectification practices, which in some locations is as high as 4‐6 times a year, can be eliminated altogether for a minimum of 3 years.

Kaeding added, “The simplicity of the whole process from delivery to application is incredible and the cost-saving measures made this decision a no-brainer.”

PolyCom is supplied in 2 kg bottles, which will stabilise 50 m³ or 100 tonnes of material. The council is currently undertaking trials on two roads, one of these being 3500 m of Tapanappa Road from Range Road. The council will look to officially roll out the project in the coming weeks for its current unsealed road management practice.

For more information, visit www.roadmaker.com.au.