Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), traditionally reliant on contractors for the seal coat process integral to preserving these roads, is shifting gears with a new pilot program that hands the reins back to its in-house crew. "We let everyone cool off in the trucks, we keep hydration stations, and plenty of water in the trucks," Mike Rivers, Denton County Assistant Maintenance Supervisor, told TxDOT.
This initiative aims to keep the seal coating skills sharp within TxDOT and also present a more cost-effective alternative for roadway maintenance. Victor Songer, Dallas District maintenance administrator, explained to TxDOT, "The reason we are doing in-house seal coat now is, so we don’t lose the art of how it is done," highlighting the efficiency and skill preservation driving the program.
Denton County's pilot, which launches next summer, will have teams learning operational skills in the upcoming months ready to embark on a three-step process that covers the roadways ensuring their longevity. These TxDOT crews, usually consisting of three or four members, will be trained in using the machinery necessary for the seal coat process, a valuable competency for maintaining the state’s thoroughfares, as crews in Dallas District, in particular those in Denton County, prepare to take on new responsibilities.
