How soon can I drive on the new pavement?

After the hot mix asphalt has been applied and rolled, generally light vehicle traffic can resume in 1-3 hours after application. But please drive slowly to prevent damage to your vehicle or the new road surface. Remember–hotter air temperatures require longer curing times. Light rain (while reducing the pavement temperature) also presents wheel slip conditions. Always practice safe driving techniques appropriate to pavement conditions, weather conditions and ‘Rules of the Road’ in construction areas.

Resurfacing Operations

Streets to be resurfaced will be posted with “No Parking” signs restricting parking and alerting the public to the commencement of roadwork.  Parked cars prevent necessary access to areas scheduled to be improved. Parking is typically prohibited between the hours of 7 a.m. and 6 p.m.  “No Parking” signs will be placed along the street at least 48 hours in advance of the date the work will start to alert residents and the public.

There may be times where sections of the road will be impossible to safely navigate. The city and its contractors will work with the residents as best as we can to limit this inconvenience and ensure reasonable access to homes and businesses are maintained.  Caution should also be taken to avoid damaging the road and other surfaces. Oil can be spread from the fresh paving to existing pavement and transfer of oil and sealant material to vehicle paint, bottoms of shoes and bicycle tires will result, in some cases, permanent damage.  Whenever possible-please avoid freshly applied materials until work has been completed.

What safety measures will be taken with paving?

Kingsport is always concerned with the safety of its citizens and visitors. Please be careful in work zones. The equipment used in road construction is large and loud! Visibility is not always to the standards the public is accustomed. While skilled workers and operators are always cautious, limiting your exposure to safety risks is the most prudent prevention to accidents. Workers are concentrating on their task and are not necessarily aware of vehicles or spectators.

Accidents can be minimized by following a few simple rules:

Avoid the work areas.

Slow down while in work areas.

If you are watching the operation, stay a safe distant back from equipment.

Realize that the workers are concentrating on their work and their own safety, not watching for cars, pedestrians or bicycles.

If you have children or pets – supervise them.  Do NOT let them play loose in the yard. Both are curious and can, and do, put themselves at risk without realizing it.

Be patient.  Most operations are done in less than two days (except reconstruction) and then life is back to normal.