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1. What is Pavement Condition Index (PCI)?

A rating system for the condition of a segment of road. On a scale of 0 to 100, a rating of 100 would indicate a perfect road surface. A rating of 50 or lower would indicate that, in general, a road needs repair.

2. What is Mill and Overlay?

A method of street repair that involves grinding off and recycling the top layer of blacktop on a road, then adding a new surface layer. It is considered a cost-effective, quicker, and less disruptive means of raising a road’s PCI when compared to other pavement reconstruction methods, and is effective at extending a roadway’s surface life for 20 or more years. 

3. What is Full-Depth Reclamation (FDR)?

FDR is an in-place recycling method for reconstruction of existing pavements using the existing pavement material as the base for the new roadway, with two layers of blacktop placed to replace the wearing surface.  FDR is utilized when existing pavement or underlying gravel is deteriorated to a point where a mill and overlay would not effectively extend the roadway service life by 20 additional years.  

4. What is a Full Reconstruction?

Full reconstruction involves the complete reconstruction of a roadway, including replacement of pavement, curb and gutter, subgrade materials, and where applicable, public utilities such as watermain, storm sewer, and sanitary sewer.   Full reconstruction is generally performed in areas where public utility infrastructure has deteriorated to a point of needing replacement.  This typically occurs in neighborhoods where infrastructure is greater than 60 years old, and there has been a recent history of infrastructure failures, such as watermain breaks, localized street flooding, and sewer main clogs or breaks.   

5. In general, what are the steps involved in communicating information for Pavement Management Initiative projects?

1. Upon authorization of a feasibility report by the City Council, an informational mailing is sent from the City to residents and property owners who will be impacted by a project.  For projects where full reconstruction is proposed, this mailing is often accompanied by a resident survey, for staff to gain feedback on existing water and sewer utility services, and to identify potential ancillary improvements to consider with the street project (i.e., street flooding mitigation, roadway narrowing/widening, streetlighting improvements, sidewalk or trail installation, etc.).
2. Feasibility Report Open House mailing - An invitation is mailed from the City to residents, which includes the date and time of an Open House and a formal Public Hearing about the project.  
3. Feasibility Report Open House – An event held to discuss the feasibility study and project plans with City staff in an informal setting. Open Houses typically occur at a City facility (City Hall, Fire Station, etc.) or at a facility in or near the neighborhood impacted by a project. The open house is typically held a few weeks in advance of a public hearing.   
4. Public Hearing – A hearing held during a City Council meeting, where the merits of the project are discussed based on the feasibility report, and residents are offered the opportunity to voice their support, concerns, or opinions regarding the project in front of the City Council.  Upon completion of the public hearing, the City Council votes on whether to advance the project to final design. 
5. Contract Award – If a project is advanced during the public hearing, the City Council accepts project bids and awards a contract. This typically occurs within 3-4 months following the public hearing.
6. Construction Open House mailing – An invitation to a construction open house is mailed by the City. Residents can attend and learn more about the proposed construction schedule, impacts to property or access, and meet with City project staff. 
7. Construction Open House – An event held a few weeks in advance of construction activity starting in a given neighborhood.
8. Post-Construction/Assessment Hearing Open House and Assessment Hearing mailing - An invitation to a third Open House event is mailed to residents, which includes a notice of an Assessment Hearing and final special assessment values for the work are provided.. 
9. Assessment Open House – Any event held a few weeks in advance of the assessment hearing, where residents can review with staff any questions regarding final special assessment calculations and payment options.  
10. Assessment Hearing - A hearing held during a City Council meeting, where the final project costs and final special assessments are summarized based on the completion of the construction activities.  Residents are offered the opportunity to voice their opinions regarding the final special assessments in front of the City Council.  Upon completion of the assessment hearing, the City Council votes on certifying the final special assessments. 

6. Where can I sign up for email notifications about local road construction projects?

Go to www.ighmn.gov/list.aspx and sign up for the email notifications that interest you.