DeKALB | Some residents have noticed that the stamped asphalt used for the crosswalks in downtown DeKalb has begun to deteriorate.

The stamped asphalt that was laid last fall, however, is still under warranty by the contractor. Mayor Kris Povlsen said the asphalt is under warranty for one year.

“A contractor is going to repair it at no cost to the city,” said 3rd ward alderwoman Pam Verbic. 

In the past, the city had stamped asphalt laid on Second and Third Street and it is now going through its second winter with no problems, Povlsen said.

“The walkways that were done in the past have stood up well,” Povlsen said. “They have a good track record in other communities and our community.”

This stamped asphalt is a thermal plastic material, which is the same material used to make the strips on roadways and signs for handicap parking spaces. City Manager Mark Biernacki said it is this thermal plastic detail on top of the asphalt that has pulled away from the surface, causing the deteriorated look.

“The contractors are coming in the spring for repairs,” Biernacki said.

The contractor in charge of this project is also responsible for performing various tests to understand what exactly happened.

Stamped asphalt is cheaper than brick but is still aesthetically pleasing, Beirnacki said.

Polvsen said the council chose the stamped asphalt because it was the most durable material with the least cost.

“Some of the brick streets we have need constant maintenance,” Polvsen said. “The other streets that we’ve done in the stamped asphalt are doing quite well.”

Biernacki said he believes the community is appreciative of what they have done to the downtown overall.

“The deterioration of these details is a minor temporary setback when looking at the grand scheme of things,” Beirnacki said. “Sometimes as a society we ignore the 99 percent of things that went well and focus on the one percent that didn’t.”