PIn this article general information on black pavement rehabilitation and alternative solutions of problems in Latvian road sector is given. The Latvian Road Administration is responsible for 20 500 km of roads of which 7900 km have black asphalt pavements. In recent years the following negative trends are developing regarding the condition of these roads: condition of pavements continue to worsen as rehabilitation works are not carried out timely, maintenance works (e.g., pothole patching, crack filling, etc.) improve the road condition only for one season. Due to scarce finances rehabilitation works were not carried out in full amount thus forming a repair deficit. At present the rehabilitation of 700 km of roads per year has to be carried out. In 1996 the repair deficit was 3600 km of 46% of all black pavements. To improve the situation the Latvian Road Administration has implemented a Pavement Management System, established road research enterprise including a central road laboratory and purchased a study on suitable asphalt technologies for Latvia. The main problem is the lack of finances. The Latvian Road Administration has worked out different scenarios for budget development. A minimum scenario provides rehabilitation of 2150 km roads with greatest traffic intensity until the year 2000 and requires 130 million USD. A Maximum scenario provides the elimination of whole repair deficit and requires 556 million USD. For the improvement of finances excise tax on fuel will be increased each year until the year 2000 and loans from international banks -EBRD and the WB will be used. General goals are not to allow further deterioration of pavements and to preserve them with simple methods, e.g. surface dressings. Future techniques for maintenance would be surface treatments and pothole patching. Also cold recycling is a possible future development. All technologies have to be environmentally friendly health. (A)
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