Douglas Shire Council will begin scheduled road maintenance reseals across the shire on August 4.

Council wil carry out the works at seven sites in Miallo, Wonga Beach, Finlayvale and Bamboo. 

Infrastructure Manager Megan Hawke said Council had also separately set aside $700,000 in the capital works budget for 2014/15 for the rehabilitation of Junction Rd and Shannonvale Rd.

“Maintaining our road network is one of the top priorities for Council and these scheduled road maintenance reseals are the first step,” Ms Hawke said.

“Motorists who use these roads can expect to experience some minor delays while these important reseals take place, however Council will be taking steps to minimise the inconvenience.”

 Ms Hawke said the council had identified the roads as being the most in need of repair, resealing being the most economical method of doing so.

“Roads are like your house and we resurface roads as you would paint your house,” Ms Hawke said.

“From the time you paint your house the oxidation begins and the deterioration process starts - much like paint, a road surface is subject to oxidation, sunlight and rain.  

“In addition a road is subject to a range of traffic loads, the use of equipment for sweeping, turning vehicles and normal ground movement.

 “The bitumen is like paint/waterproofing on the outside of your house but has a very poor skid resistance. 

“Aggregate is placed on the bitumen to provide a wearing surface with a good skid resistance.

If a road surface develops surface cracks, water can enter the base. When vehicles pass over the saturated base, water is forced out along with the fine base material. This repeated action leads to the base softening, the surface breaking and potholes forming.”