Annual Roads Crack Sealing Program Underway

Cobourg, ON (September 25, 2026) – The Town of Cobourg’s Public Works and Engineering Division would like to advise residents that the Annual Crack Sealing Program is underway, and is expected to be completed by September 29.

Residents may see Town crews and contractors working on roads throughout the community. Temporary traffic disruptions may occur while sealant is applied and allowed to cure. Please watch for employees working in the roadway and for slow-moving vehicles, and use caution when travelling through work areas.
This preventative maintenance program, carried out by Town staff, helps protect and extend the life of asphalt roads by sealing cracks before they develop into larger, more costly road repairs.

Cracks naturally form in roadways over time due to traffic, weather, temperature changes and movement within the road base. If left untreated, they allow water to enter the underlying road structure. This can erode the base materials, damage the pavement and lead to potholes.

In the winter, moisture trapped in cracks expands when it freezes and contracts when it thaws. Repeated freeze-thaw cycles widen cracks and accelerate pavement deterioration.

Crack Sealing Process
Crews first clean the cracks, removing loose debris, dirt, vegetation and other materials that could prevent the sealant from adhering properly. Next they inject a specialized hot rubberized sealant into each crack to create a durable, flexible and watertight seal.

Finally, crews apply Glenzoil to the fresh sealant. Glenzoil is a biodegradable, and non-toxic liquid barrier material that prevents the sealant from sticking to vehicle tires or tracking onto nearby road surfaces and helps protect it while it initially cures. Traffic can then resume safely and efficiently once the work is complete.

The finished seal keeps water out of the pavement structure while remaining flexible enough to expand and contract with seasonal temperature changes and normal road movement. Protecting the underlying granular base helps reduce future pavement damage.

Benefits of Crack Sealing

Crack sealing is one of the most cost-effective ways to preserve asphalt roads. Addressing minor cracks early helps to:

• Prevent water from entering and damaging the road structure;
• Reduce potholes and pavement failures;
• Extend the service life of asphalt roads;
• Improve road safety and driving comfort;
• Delay costly rehabilitation and reconstruction;
• Reduce long-term maintenance costs; and
• Make the most of taxpayer investments in municipal infrastructure.

This proactive work helps maintain a safe, reliable and comfortable transportation network while making efficient use of available infrastructure funding.

The Town of Cobourg thanks the community and residents for your patience and cooperation while this important roadway preservation work is completed.