Several rural intersections in the Ashburton District are receiving a final layer of protection to keep the road surface in good order for drivers.

A new layer of asphalt is being applied to the roads, making the surface resistant to flushing, the name given to describe bitumen rising to the road surface and resulting in a smooth pavement. This smoothness can be slippery in winter and soft in extreme heat​.

Pictured: A new layer of asphalt being applied to the roads which will protect the road surface from 'flushing'.

The final layer of asphalt is applied after a 'milling' treatment, where the road surface is dug back to allow for the new and old asphalt layers to seamlessly blend with no overlap.

The intersections of Maronan, Cracroft, Lismore Mayfield and McDougalls Roads, as well as Melcombe, Moranan and Hendersons Road, and a section along Melcombe Street have been the site of the milling and asphalt treatment.

Milling depth starts at 50 millimetres and this reduces to zero over five-to-10 metres, creating a gradual blend.

​Pictured: Fulton Hogan ​'milling' the road surface in preparation for the final layer of asphalt.​​​

The final layer of asphalt is then applied and provides extra strength to the road surface.

Some of the programmed works were completed in February, with the reminder to take place over the next two months.​