---
title: "Importance of maintenance on highways"
subject: "Construction Management"
chapter: 9
key: "semester_8/construction_management:highway-maintenance-importance"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_8/construction_management/highway-maintenance-importance
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Importance of maintenance on highways

Construction Management · Chapter 9: Project Maintenance

- Asked in: 2068 Bhadra (old course), 5 marks
- Video: [Type of Road Maintenance | What is Corrective & Preventive Road Maintenance](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BkpctAuQ6s) — Bridge Construction Training Institute
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_8/construction_management/highway-maintenance-importance
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_8/construction_management/chapter-9

## Question

Describe the importance of maintenance on highways.

## Short answer

Highway maintenance protects the large investment because reconstruction costs several times more than upkeep. It ensures safety, reduces vehicle operating costs, keeps roads open during monsoon, prolongs pavement life, and gives economic, social, and environmental benefits. Works include patching, crack sealing, resurfacing, drain and bridge repair, and landslide clearing.

## Answer

**Highway maintenance** means keeping the road, its pavement, shoulders, drains, structures and furniture in good condition so that traffic can run safely and comfortably throughout the road's life.

#### Importance
1. **Protects the investment:** a highway costs a very large sum, and timely maintenance protects it from early failure. Reconstruction costs several times as much as upkeep.
2. **Safety:** a good surface, markings, signs, guard rails and clear sight distance reduce accidents.
3. **Reduces vehicle operating cost:** a smooth road saves fuel, tyre wear, repairs and travel time.
4. **Keeps the road open all year:** drainage, culvert and slope work prevent landslides and washouts in the monsoon, which is very important on the hill roads of Nepal.
5. **Prolongs pavement life:** early repair of cracks and potholes stops water entering the base and subgrade.
6. **Economic and social benefits:** reliable access to markets, health care and schools, and support for tourism and trade.
7. **Comfort and image:** a clean, well-kept road improves public satisfaction.
8. **Environmental benefit:** reduces dust, erosion and sedimentation.

Works include pothole patching, crack sealing, resurfacing, shoulder and drain cleaning, culvert and bridge repair, vegetation control, upkeep of signs and markings, and emergency clearing of landslides.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. Why does highway maintenance protect the investment?
   A. It lowers traffic
   B. Reconstruction costs several times more than upkeep
   C. It avoids all design
   D. It removes tolls
   Answer: B. Timely upkeep prevents early failure; reconstruction costs several times more. (Key point: Investment)

2. How does a smooth road reduce vehicle operating cost?
   A. Saves fuel, tyre wear, repair and travel time
   B. Increases fuel use
   C. Increases tyre wear
   D. Has no effect
   Answer: A. A smooth surface saves fuel, tyre wear, repairs and time. (Key point: Vehicle operating cost)

3. Why is drainage and slope work vital for hill roads in Nepal?
   A. Improves road colour
   B. Reduces toll
   C. Keeps the road open year-round by preventing landslides and washouts
   D. Shortens road length
   Answer: C. Drainage, culvert and slope work prevent monsoon landslides and washouts. (Key point: Hill roads)

4. How does early repair of cracks and potholes prolong pavement life?
   A. It stops water entering base and sub-grade
   B. It adds a layer
   C. It reduces traffic
   D. It lowers camber
   Answer: A. Stopping water entry protects the base and sub-grade. (Key point: Pavement life)