Implementing cost-effective pavement preservation strategies saves taxpayer dollars by extending the life of pavements. The MRPA Local Agency Workshop is designed to provide county and municipal staff and consultant engineers with the technical information needed to plan and execute successful preventive maintenance projects.

Over the past year, a team of experts has created valuable specification and inspection guidelines and best practices for the design and construction of crack seal, chip seal, fog seal, and micro surfacing. We’re excited to share these tools at the 2025 MRPA Local Agency Workshop.

Local Agency Workshop Agenda

Networking Breakfast

Welcome and Introductions

9 a.m.               MRPA Creates an “Easy Button”

A team of MRPA experts has spent the last year creating valuable specification guidelines and best practices for the design and construction of crack seal, chip seal, fog seal, and micro surfacing. Meet the team, learn about the available resources, and discover how this new ‘easy button’ will simplify and improve your preservation efforts.

9:15 a.m.         Crack Seal Overview – Panel

Sealing the cracks is the most basic and cost-effective aspect of preventive maintenance. A panel of experts will share their strategies for a successful crack seal program.

10 a.m.            Chip Seal and Fog Seal

Once called “poor man’s asphalt,” chip seals have advanced significantly. Today, chip seals and fog seals provide a new wearing course on everything from low-volume roads to highways, and from new to distressed pavements. This session will help you determine when chip seals are the right treatment.

10:45 a.m.       Micro Surfacing

Micro surfacing is a durable, fast-curing solution to protect your road from the effects of aging, weather, and traffic. This session will highlight the benefits and versatility of micro surfacing.

11:15 a.m.   The Benefits of Mixing the Fixes – Interlayers

Sometimes the “right fix” for a road is a combination of CPM treatments to get the best results. Learn how chip seal and micro surfacing can be used together to deliver the best results.

11:35 a.m.       Micro Surfacing Mix Table

Get a feel for the science behind micro-surfacing and learn what to expect on your next micro surfacing project. Join our hands-on mix table demonstration and learn to balance aggregates, emulsion, and additives; test and adjust for optimal consistency and troubleshoot common mix problems in the field.

Networking Lunch Provided by MRPA

1 p.m.               Putting Pavement Preservation to Work in the Real World

Michigan’s local road agencies have worked hard to implement asset management, but real-world decisions can make it challenging. This session provides a foundational understanding of pavement preservation, essential for creating effective and sustainable long-term strategies.

2 p.m.               QA/QC and Inspections – Ensuring Every Job is a Quality Job

What’s the difference between QA and QC? How do you ensure compliance from start to finish? Get the answers you need in this session on QA, QC, and inspection guidelines. Learn how proactive strategies can ensure a higher quality outcome.

2:30 a.m.         Closing Remarks

Continuing education certificates will be provided on-site for pre-registered attendees. Program provides 4.5 CEU hours for professional engineering licensure.

2:45 p.m.         A Deeper Dive (Optional)

With new specification guidelines, best practice documents and inspection guidelines unveiled earlier in the day, this optional deep dive is available for the engineers and project managers who will use these documents to get their questions answered.

MRPA is committed to providing technical expertise and education on pavement preservation in Michigan. A workshop for local road agencies and partnering meetings with the MDOT regions are targeted to our partners at MDOT and local road agencies.

MRPA also works with other organizations to provide education sessions aimed at helping audiences of all types understand the importance of preserving our paved road network. To learn more or schedule an MRPA speaker for your event, contact our office today.

A biennial workshop is held to meet the emerging training needs of local road agency personnel. Continuing education credits are available for licensed professional engineers.