Chip Sealing to Begin on County-Maintained Roads

08/28/2006
Douglas County Public Works announces that chip seal operations for various county-maintained roads will commence on Tuesday, August 29th. Vance Brothers, Inc. is the county's contractor for this work. Vance Brothers will commence sealing operations in the northwest portion of Douglas County near Lecompton. It is anticipated chip seal operations will be completed by September 15th, weather permitting. Approximately 36 miles of county-maintained roadways will be sealed this season. The contract cost for this work is approximately $504,000. Traffic control during chip seal operations will consist of pilot vehicles and flaggers. Motorists should expect some delays when traveling on roads during chip seal operations. Properly following pilot vehicles and keeping speeds low when traveling through chip seal areas will reduce the chance of getting asphalt emulsion on your vehicle. Chip sealing is a process intended to preserve and protect the existing pavement. It seals small cracks in the pavement to prevent the intrusion of moisture into the pavement base, and protects oxidized asphalt surfaces from becoming more brittle and losing fine surface aggregate through raveling. Emulsified asphalt will be applied to the road surface, then small aggregate ("chips") is spread on the surface to keep vehicle tires out of the emulsified asphalt seal material. The contractor will utilize expanded-shale chips that are darker in color and lighter in weight than limestone chips. For further information, please contact the Douglas County Public Works Department at 785-832-5293.

Related Links:
Map of Chip Seal locations - http://www.douglas-county.com/depts/pw/docs/pdf/chipseal_wakatownship.pdf
Douglas County website - http://www.douglas-county.com

Media Contact:
Keith Browning
Public Works Department
785-832-5293
browning@douglas-county.com