How did the Romans maintain their roads? Were there people in urban centers whose job was to repair nearby roads? What about roads away from urban centers? Was this job primarily done by the military, and if so, who within the military (how was this process)?
I hope this makes sense. Any information or literature that's really good about Roman roads would also be helpful.
Yes, it was the army who took up the task of building roads, with special official superintendants, curatores viarum, in charge. Sometimes slave labour was also utilised, but it was the troops who were expected to concern themselves with road maintenance. After all, it was not enough to just have a fort, the roads to the fort were just as important. In pacified provinces, civilian contractors were hired to assist, particularly with movement of stone from quarries.
Essential prerequisites of route planning were that each should: be as straight as possible, remain close to one contour throughout their course to reduce additional soldier and horse fatigue, avoid swamps, marsh, forest, hills, spurs, and knolls wherever possible. Military engineers and surveyors possessed considerable experience and knowledge of the techniques involved. Materials were generally those available near the proposed route. In Britain, legions serving in the North frequently employed limestone, sandstone and granite, whilst in the South they used flints and chalk.
Many soldiers had been qualified tradesmen such as carpenters and stonemasons. There is a Roman soldier found at Herculaneum, who died when Vesuvious erupted in AD 79. He had carpentry tools on his back, a hammer with an adze, and chisels, along with this sword and dagger. He was of heavy muscle build indicating heavy work (according to Dr Bisel who performed forensic examination).
Sometimes important people contributed finances for road repairs. Suetonius mentions how Augustus arranged for repairs at his own expense to the Via Flaminia, but other roads were shared out amongst the generals honoured by a triumph, who had to find the money for this out of their battle spoils.
Roman roads were so well made that little repair work was actually necessary, except on the wooden bridges. Once a route was finished it became the task of the local authority to maintain it. Private roads linking farms, villas and small villages to main routes were the responsibility of the landowners to build and maintain. Many were still in perfect working order centuries after their construction.
"Roads in Roman Britain" by Hugh Davies is product of author research and his PhD study, give it a look. Also, "Curatores Viarum by Phyllis Ertman.