How late into the Fall can I do paving, and how early can I start in the Spring?

The time to cease certain operations varies with the material being used. The following guidelines are recommended as a simple rule of thumb for New York State. Locations Downstate and in the North Country may have slightly different dates.

• Chip Seals and Slurry Seals should be applied before Labor Day to ensure that the emulsion will cure properly before the cold weather sets in. Also, these thin wearing courses should not be placed prior to Memorial Day to be sure the ground temperature is warm enough. The closer to the middle of the summer, the better.
• Cold-Mix Concrete typically needs a surface treatment before winter. Since the cold mix requires a couple of weeks of good curing weather before the surface treatment is placed upon it, it is advisable to construct the cold-mix by mid-August in order to complete the entire project by Labor Day.
• Hot-Mix paving, as a rule, should end by Columbus Day, around October 12th in New York State. Any later and you run the risk of not having enough time to allow you to compact the mix properly.

The following weather conditions are preferred for the placement of thin wearing courses:

• Air Temperature above 50°F, with a night temperature not below 45°F
• Pavement Temperature above 70°F and below 130°F
• Humidity below 75%
• No chance of rain
• Not too windy, some wind may help the curing of any asphalt emulsion

Resources

Asphalt Paving Principles (pdf)
CLRP workshop manual

Basics of a Good Road (pdf)
CLRP workshop manual

Pavement Maintenance (pdf)
CLRP workshop manual

September, 2010