Road management

Maintenance grading is the process of reshaping unsealed roads and fixing minor damage like potholes, corrugations and ruts. It creates a smoother, safer surface and improves drainage by helping water flow off the road properly, reducing erosion and long-term wear.

We grade approximately 400 kilometres of unsealed roads, grading each one based on a schedule that outlines the extent of work and the frequency of grading, subject to weather and ground conditions.

See the grading schedule for this:

• month
• financial year

Gravel resheeting is a way of refreshing unsealed roads by laying down a new layer of gravel. Once the gravel is spread, the road is graded to create a smoother, safer surface. This process helps prevent potholes and ruts from forming, which means less wear and tear, and fewer maintenance needs down the track

We generally gravel resheet unsealed roads every 10 to 15 years. Scheduling depends on ground conditions, rainfall, drainage, terrain, road hierarchy, traffic and budget.

When potholes appear on sealed roads, we provide quick fixes on the busiest routes by placing cold mix directly into the hole. These temporary repairs keep roads safe until more permanent works, such as heavy patching, can be scheduled.

Heavy patching involves removing the damaged section (usually in a rectangular shape) and replacing it with new material to restore strength and durability.

We regularly inspect roads for damage and failures to keep the network safe and functional. Repairing potholes helps maintain serviceability and prevents further deterioration that could lead to costly, large-scale reconstruction.

Road resurfacing is the process of applying a new layer of bitumen or asphalt to a sealed road. It smooths out the surface, improves grip, and extends the life of the road. Resurfacing also helps protect the underlying layers from water damage, which is key to maintaining good drainage and preventing cracks or potholes from forming.

We regularly inspect the road network and aim to reseal bitumen roads every 10-15 years and asphalt every 15-18 years.

Sealed road rehabilitation restores the strength and life of a road without fully rebuilding it. It involves removing any unsuitable material from beneath the road and replacing it with more stable material, then applying a new sealed surface over the top. This process is used when sections are deteriorating but do not require complete reconstruction.

We aim to undertake rehabilitation works when roads show moderate structural issues.

Road reconstruction is a full rebuild of the road structure. It involves removing and replacing all the layers to restore the road’s structural integrity. It’s carried out when a sealed road is too damaged for resurfacing or rehabilitating to be effective.

These projects usually include installing new stormwater drainage systems and kerb and gutter to manage water flow and protect the new road.

We aim to improve the equity of service across Eurobodalla by scheduling reconstruction projects when roads show major structural failure or reach the end of their service life.

Rural road reconstruction involves rebuilding sections of roads to enhance safety, functionality, and capacity. This work typically includes replacing pavement layers and strengthening the base to better handle traffic demands.

Projects often include drainage upgrades and road widening or realignment to improve safety.

We prioritise rural road reconstruction where roads show significant deterioration or require upgrades to meet growing community needs.

Developer contributions are commonly used to help fund these works.

We deliver a wide range of projects to make our roads safer.

Large-scale works include building roundabouts and bridges, realigning roads and stabilising roadside slopes. Some of our current and recent major projects include:

• North Head Drive slope stabilisation
• Malua Bay roundabout
• Borang Creek bridge
• Broulee Road roundabout

Smaller-scale improvements include installing signs, linemarking, pedestrian refuges, guardrail and street lighting.

We are also continually expanding our network of footpaths and shared pathways to improve safety. The Eurobodalla Pathways Strategy helps us prioritise locations for new paths.

• Eurobodalla Pathways Strategy (7.7 MB)

All these improvements help reduce crashes, improve traffic flow and provide safer connections for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.