Contra Costa County Pavement Management

 

Location

Contra Costa County-Countywide

City or County Responsible for Project

Contra Costa County

Category

Best Pavement Practices

Description

The Contra Costa County (County) Public Works Department maintains more than 660 centerline miles of roadway serving diverse residential, suburban, and semi-rural communities. These roadways support commuters, residents, and recreational users accessing the County’s extensive open space and regional parks.
Over the past decade, the County has delivered 18 surface treatment projects as part of a strategic Pavement Management Program focused on extending pavement service life and maximizing limited public funding.
The County has determined that a preventative maintenance program utilizing multiple surface treatments is the most cost-effective approach for managing a large roadway network. Pavement conditions are evaluated annually through data-driven assessments using StreetSaver Pavement Management software, supported by Nichols Consulting Engineers, Ltd. (NCE) . In 2023, a walking survey was conducted and used to establish an area-weighted average Pavement Condition Index (PCI) of 70, with approximately 70 percent of the roadway network classified in good condition—reflecting sustained investment and effective treatment selection.
Residential roadways frequently experience heavy delivery and service vehicle traffic, resulting in moderate to severe pavement distress, including surface and base failures. As full reconstruction is often cost prohibitive, the County employs a comprehensive suite of condition-based preservation treatments, including rubberized asphalt chip and cape seals, chip seals, slurry and fiberized slurry seals, micro surfacing, mill-and-overlay projects, and targeted reconstruction to address the areas. The rubberized asphalt chip incorporates recycled materials, advancing sustainability goals while improving pavement performance.
A seven-year treatment cycle allows the County to systematically plan, track, and equitably distribute treatments across neighborhoods. The County invests approximately $10 million annually in roadway preservation, funded through Senate Bill 1 (SB1), the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, and state gas tax revenues, ensuring the greatest system-wide benefit.
Implementation relies on a hybrid delivery model that combines County workforces for routine maintenance for crack seal and base failures and application of chip seal along with competitively bid contracts for specialized treatments, enabling multiple neighborhoods to be addressed concurrently. Asset tracking and performance monitoring are managed through ArcGIS, enhancing transparency and accountability.
Public outreach is integral to program success and includes postcards, flyers, project websites, and the County’s “Inside Public Works” video series, which highlights pavement preservation efforts and emphasizes applying the right treatment at the right time.
Despite funding challenges faced by local agencies statewide, Contra Costa County has successfully maintained a PCI of 70. Through data-driven planning, diverse treatment strategies, sustainable practices, and proactive public engagement, the Pavement Management Program demonstrates leadership, stewardship of public funds, and a long-term commitment to safe, reliable, and resilient roadway