Ripley County, In. —Indiana Department of Transportation maintenance crews will begin chip seal operations on portions of State Roads 48 & 229 in Ripley County, on or after Tuesday, April 30, weather permitting. Areas scheduled for chip seal include:
- S.R. 48 from S.R. 229, east of Napoleon, to S.R. 101, south of Sunman
- S.R. 229 from S.R. 421, near Napoleon, to Batesville
Motorists should expect delays along these routes due to lane closures in the work zone. Flaggers will be present to manage traffic.
Chip sealing coats existing pavement with liquid asphalt, sealing cracks and providing waterproof protection. This extends the service life of the roadway and lowers maintenance costs. Small chips of limestone are used to cover the asphalt, preventing it from spraying vehicles or sticking to tires. The chips also restore surface friction for improved skid resistance, maneuverability, and driver safety. Chip seal is a cost-effective pavement preservation technique, saving $6 to $14 in taxpayer expenditures for every $1 invested in extending the life of a roadway.
