▼

Public Works Slurry Seal

Show All Answers

1. Why are there tiny rocks and bits of asphalt all over the street?

The purpose of a slurry coat is to provide a wearing surface that will wear away over several years as traffic drives over it. In the first few days after applying slurry it is common and completely normal for small rocks and bits of slurry to come off the surface (called 'raveling')of the newly applied slurry. The contractor will sweep streets several times over the first month after slurry is applied. Even after the contractor is done with the project, the City's normal street sweeping contractor will continue to sweep streets twice a month. In order to get the best sweeping results, residents should refrain from parking on the street on sweeping days.  

2. My street is included, when exactly will it be scheduled?

Our contractor is scheduling about two weeks out and must factor in trash pick-ups, school schedules, weather, and much more. When we receive new schedules we will post them at www.MurrietaCA.Gov/streets. We will also post reminders on the City's social media pages when new schedules are available. www.Facebook.com/CityofMurrieta

These schedules can change due to rain or other unexpected delays and we will update the schedules accordingly.

3. What about tire marks on the street?

With the application of fresh slurry there are certain appearance issues that will be resolved over time, including what are we refer to as power steering marks or light tire tracks. These issues are unavoidable because while fresh slurry takes just a few hours to dry to a point where the street can be reopened to traffic, it will take several months to cure. All of these times are dependent on environmental factors like moisture in the air and air temperature.

With more traffic, the imperfections in the slurry will work themselves out over several months. 

4. Where can I find more information about the project?

Information can be found at www.MurrietaCA.Gov/Streets. We will also post regular updates on our social media pages. Facebook.com/CityofMurrieta.

5. What streets will be included in the project?

The City has produced a map of streets, along with a list of street segments, that will be completed on the City’s website.

6. How were streets for this project selected?

in early 2021, the City completed a Pavement Condition Assessment that resulted in the close inspection and rating of all streets in the City. The rating system is called the Pavement Condition Index (PCI) which is a numerical index between 0 and 100, and is used to indicate the general condition of a pavement section. The lower the score, the more attention and maintenance the street segment requires. This project is targeted at streets that scored lower and requires attention now in order to prevent further degradation of the street sub-surface. 

7. My street wasn’t included. Can my street be added to the current project?

Unfortunately, no. The scope of work for the current project has been finalized and the streets were carefully selected using data driven analysis. Streets not done in this project, or the project in 2019, will be done in 2023, if they are residential streets maintained by the City.

8. My street IS included in the current project, but I don’t want it to receive slurry. Can it be removed from the project?

No. The scope of work for the current project has been finalized. Slurry sealing is an important investment in a street's maintenance and adds to the longevity and quality of the road.

9. Will the City apply slurry to streets in gated communities?

No. Streets in gated communities or in communities that have streets designated as private or are otherwise streets that do not conform to City standards and were not accepted for maintenance by the City (i.e.- Bear Creek, Greer Ranch, Jackson Crossing, The Colony, Via Princessa area) will not receive slurry.

10. Will slurry make my street like new?

No. A slurry application, and the crack sealing that takes place before applying slurry, is intended to seal the street from water penetration which will extend the life of the pavement. The application is not intended to “repave” the street by replacing the existing pavement. Streets will look better, though.

11. Why are only some streets being done in my neighborhood

We stagger streets to allow for residents to enter and leave the neighborhood. If streets are include in this phase of the project, we will come back to them. 

12. How long will the dark black color of the newly slurried streets last?

The dark black color will eventually oxidize due to exposure to sunlight and will fade to a gray color.

13. Slurry was just applied to my street but it looks brown. Is something wrong?

There are a variety of factors that impact the color of newly applied slurry including air and surface temperature, humidity, water from rain or sprinklers. Normally, the brown color will turn to a deeper black when it is exposed to the heat of the sun and allowed to cure.

14. What happens if I drive on the wet slurry?

We know you won't do that. But if you did, there is a good chance that it would damage the work in  your neighborhood by leaving deep groves in the road. It  may also damage your vehicle.The City would then have to decide if the street is to be redone or repaired, which costs thousand of dollars. In the case of intentional damage, this cost could be passed on to the driver or his/her insurance.

Please don't drive on wet slurry.

15. I have damage to my vehicle, or other property, due to the slurry project. What do I do?

Please contact the City’s Contractor, American Asphalt South, at 909-427-8276 to submit a claim.

16. May I leave my car in my driveway while slurry is applied to my street?

You may leave your car in your driveway. You may not be able to leave the driveway if the slurry work is in process. You may have to wait a few hours. If you know you will need to use your car, please park on a nearby street that is not on the slurry schedule.

17. My house is: Being sold / being painted / hosting a party / hosting a wedding / undergoing repairs / I am moving out / in / I have mobility needs / etc. How will the slurry seal affect this?

Please call the City’s contractor, American Asphalt South, at 909-427-8276 to discuss how this will affect your activity. The contractor will make every attempt to accommodate your needs.

18. What if it rains?

We cannot apply slurry seal in the rain, so any planned work on rain days will be rescheduled. Our goal is to keep our schedule intact, so we will pick up according to the schedule after the rains and weave in the skipped streets when possible. As always, signs will be posted 72 hours prior to work starting.