Ripley County, IN — Indiana Department of Transportation maintenance crews will begin chip seal operations as early as Thursday on U.S. 421 in Ripley County. Work will take place from the north junction of U.S. 50 to C.R. 300 N., south of Osgood. This three-mile stretch will close to thru traffic for one day while work is in progress, from approximately 8 am to 8 pm, weather permitting. Access will be maintained for local residents with a pilot vehicle. All thru traffic should utilize S.R. 350 to S.R. 129 as an alternate route.
Later in the week or early the following week, crews will move to S.R. 101 between U.S. 50 and I-74 at Penntown. Lane closures with flagging will be in place during daytime hours.
Chip seal operations typically last around three to four days per location depending upon the weather. Work is completed under lane closures with flagging (sometimes full closures) 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 then swept from the road. After a curing period, crews will return to fog seal the new driving surface.
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 through all work zones. All work is weather dependent and schedules are subject to change.
