(Ripley/Jefferson Counties, IN) – Indiana Department of Transportation maintenance crews plan to begin chip seal operations on U.S. 421 in Ripley and Jefferson counties on or after Wednesday, August 14.
Crews will be active between South Old Michigan Road in Ripley County and State Road 62 in Jefferson County.
Motorists should expect lane closures and flagging while work is in progress.
Chip seal work typically lasts three to four days per location depending upon weather.
During operations, existing pavement is coated with liquid asphalt, which seals cracks and provides waterproof protection.
INDOT says this extends the service life of the roadway and lowers maintenance costs. Once the seal coat is complete, loose aggregate is applied and swept from the road. After a curing period, crews will return to fog seal the new driving surface and apply pavement markings.
The agency says chip seal is a cost-effective pavement preservation technique that is used across the state, saving an estimated six to 14 dollars in taxpayer expenses for every dollar invested in extending the life of a roadway.
INDOT reminds drivers to slow down, avoid distractions, and consider worker safety when traveling through active work zones.
All work is weather-dependent and schedules are subject to change.
