Road Maintenance

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Roadway maintenance is a continually improving aspect of our township. A newly paved road looks “good” for a time, but after a few years, weather and sunlight causes the roadway to change. Frigid temperatures and significant snowfall typify the winter months, followed by melting conditions of warmer spring weather that can lead to serious road deterioration.

Annual Seal & Patch Programs (Spring & Fall)

Crews make their way around all Township roads during the spring and fall to seal cracks and repair any broken areas of the roadway. Over time, sunlight oxidizes the oils in asphalt causing it to become brittle and develop cracks. Crews clean out the cracks with high-pressure air then apply a hot-pour sealant. A release agent will be sprayed on the sealant if it is in an area where immediate traffic will occur so it will not stick to any passing vehicles. Crack sealing is also performed in areas where cuts and repairs have been made to bond two areas together.

They will also patch areas in the roadway that have collapsed or broken apart before they become potholes. Our crews do not just fill these holes, they cut out a section of the road, excavate, replace and seal the asphalt creating a lasting patch on the roadway.

Resurfacing

Every year the Township budgets for a number of roadways to be resurfaced. After our annual inspection of all Township roads, we consider the current condition of the roadway, volume of traffic, cost of paving, and available funds, to determine which will receive a resurface treatment in order to extend the life of the roadway.

opens in a new windowProjected Five Year Planopens PDF file

2023 Highway Projects:

Total: $410,699 (with pending aid from Lebanon County – $8,068) 

Paving

Paving is a labor intensive, unpredictable project. Completion is vastly dependent upon weather and timing. Prior to paving, crews prep the roadway by raising sewer manholes and milling – removing the top layer – along driveways so that the added material keeps all features on the same level surface.

When we receive dates from the contractors, we will notify those who may be directly affected. This includes residents, postal service, and waste haulers.

Keep in mind:

• Work can begin as early as 6:00 a.m. and continue until 8:00 p.m. Crews rarely operate over a weekend, but it has happened if conditions were not optimal during the week.
• Remove all items from the roadway. This includes vehicles, trash cans, nets, and tree limbs hanging lower than 14 feet above the road.
• Driveway access could be restricted briefly during paving or milling operations.
• Asphalt will take weeks to fully cure. When proceeding onto new pavement, be mindful of high speeds and turning radius as you park and pull into your driveway. This causes grooves and rippling on the new surface.
• Crews will be back to seal between the curb and roadway, so parking will be restricted once more after paving.

Project details, progress, and changes in the schedule can be found on our  opens in a new windowFacebook page. We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we conduct this one in 15-20 year operation to preserve the roadway. 

Although hot mix asphalt is the preferred method of preservation, it is also the most expensive and some roadways may need surface treatment before enough funds are available for asphalt. If made to wait for funds, the roadway could require reconstruction which is exponentially more expensive than any surface treatment. Here’s a brief overview of the alternatives:

Microsurface

If a roadway is less than 10 years old and is structurally sound but presents numerous cracks, it would be more feasible to conduct this treatment (just as you would seal your driveway). The product is a mixture that leaves no loose stone behind but is coarser then blacktop and more skid resistant. It will add some strength and ultimately extend the life of the roadway 7-10 years. This treatment allows traffic within an hour of being laid, but will still take a few weeks to fully cure and harden.

Oil and Chip

Asphalt oil is sprayed onto the roadway then covered with small stones allowing vehicles to drive on the roadway while the oil is given time to cure. As the stones disperse over time, a smooth sealed roadway is revealed. Though it provides no added strength, it extends the life of the roadway 5-7 years.

Permits

The Township is responsible for the integrity of all dedicated roads and their rights of ways. Therefore anyone doing work in this area must apply for a permit prior to excavation or installation. In the event of an emergency e.g. a water main break; a permit is still required, but work may be done prior to issuance. North Londonderry Township administers all applications and permits for those noted. Please contact the office at (717) 838-1373 if you need further information.

A Note to Utility Companies and Residents: Township Code §126-25 prohibits cuts or excavations by any person for 5 years after a roadway has been constructed or resurfaced. Thus we alert utility companies of our upcoming Highway Program so that they can take appropriate measures to have new installs or repairs completed before that time. This notification also includes an update to our 5 year projection.

Though roads are a public rights of way, they foremost are an asset to the community and the hundreds of people that travel them every day. No paint, markings, or cuts should be made without first receiving permission by North Londonderry Township. Large objects placed in the right of ways, beyond the limits of the paved surface present their own hazards. In other words, sport nets / goals, large rocks, trash cans, brick mailboxes, etc. can become an issue at any given time work is being done along a roadway. The proprietor of these objects would not only be responsible for them, but also any damage the objects may do to Township equipment.

Road Occupancy Permit

Individuals who are excavating or working on facilities (above- or below-ground) lying within the roadway and its rights of way are required to get a road occupancy permit.

Driveway Permit

Individuals who are cutting into the roadway to establish, replace, expand or alter a driveway entrance must obtain a driveway permit. A permit is not needed for alterations where ONLY saw cutting is being performed.

Sidewalk & Curb Permit

Individuals who are constructing, replacing or removing curb and/or sidewalk running parallel to the street need a permit. Exceptions to permitting are made for saw cuts only, where the roadway is not affected. Sidewalks adjoined to a home or garage i.e. not running along the roadway do not require a permit.

Contractors are responsible for establishing line and grade according to Township specifications for all new construction.

Download our Permit Schedule of Feesopens PDF file

Before You Dig…Call 811

Don’t forget, you must call in your location of excavation so all underground utilities can be marked to avoid damage.

Traffic Control Devices

Traffic control devices play a critical role in our daily road safety, especially for those traveling from outside the area. Whether it’s the lines and markings on the road surface, signs along the roadside or mounted overhead, or light signals regulating the flow of traffic; their intent is to instruct us when, how and where to drive in order to make it to our destination safely.

Pavement Markings

Though most Township roadways are unmarked, more heavily traveled areas such as North Forge Road and Hoffer Road require annual painting and upkeep of its markings. Street edge lines, center lines and crosswalks are repainted every year with a latex paint integrated with glass beads to provide reflectivity. Other street markings such as turn arrows, stop bars and in some areas, crosswalks, a thermoplastic material is laid. This material can withstand higher traffic flows and snow removal operations allowing them to be replaced every 3-5 years.

Signs & Signals

The Township is responsible for over 1300 signs and posts. They are inventoried and inspected every year.The Township follows Federal (Title 75, Vehicle Code & Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices-MUTCD) and State (Title 67, PA Code Chapter 212, Official Traffic Control Devices) codes to provide a nationwide standard for the installation and maintenance of all traffic control devices.

A sign is put in place after a traffic study has been performed and a Township ordinance is adopted, whether it’s a stop sign, speed limit, or no parking sign. A desire to control speed in a problem area does not warrant the placement of a stop sign. In many cases, frequent stopping actually poses drivers to increase their speeds in order to make up that time stopped. The frequent misuse of signs breeds disrespect and elusiveness to any others needed to maintain safety among roadways.

All signs must remain clearly visible for motorists. Property owners are responsible for keeping any vegetation growing nearby clear of the sign face and post. Also, we encourage the prompt report of any damaged or vandalized sign to North Londonderry Township for immediate repair or the Police Department (717) 838-5276 if caught in the act. Unfortunately, signs are often stolen, defaced or destroyed and the suspects are hard to find afterwards.

Traffic signals are owned and maintained by the Township. They are inspected twice a year from an outside company. The timing and sequence of signals is managed by PennDOT. Any changes must be warranted and approved by them.

All the traffic signals along State Route 422 from South Lingle Avenue at the County line to Center Street in Cleona Borough are coordinated and participate in the Lebanon County Congested Corridor Improvement  opens in a new windowProgramopens PDF file (CCIP). This is managed by the  opens in a new windowLebanon County MPO.