Ripley/Jefferson counties, IN — Indiana Department of Transportation maintenance crews plan to begin chip seal operations as early as Thursday, July 22, on State Road 62 in Jefferson and Ripley counties. Work will take place from the east junction of State Road 250 to State Road 129.
Chip seal operations typically last around three to four days per location depending upon the weather. Work is completed under lane closures with flagging to prevent damage to both vehicles and the roadway. During operations, the existing pavement is coated with liquid asphalt, which seals cracks and provides waterproof protection. 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 and fog seal the new driving surface, typically within a week.
INDOT says chip seal is a cost-effective pavement preservation technique that is utilized across the state of Indiana, saving an estimated six to 14 dollars in taxpayer expenditures for every dollar invested in extending the life of a roadway.
Motorists should slow down, watch for stopped traffic and drive distraction-free in and near all work zones. All work is weather dependent and schedules are subject to change.
