Chip sealing begins on Douglas County roads
06/19/2009
Douglas County Public Works announces that chip seal operations for various county-maintained roads will commence Friday, June 19, 2009. Vance Brothers, Inc. is the county's contractor for this work. Vance Brothers will commence sealing operations on specified roads west of US-59 highway. Chip seal operations this summer will occur in two separate time periods. In June 2009, the contractor will seal 25 miles. We anticipate the contractor will complete this phase by July 1. In a second phase of chip sealing, the contractor will seal another 29 miles. We anticipate the second phase to begin and finish in August 2009. All dates are "weather permitting". The contract cost for first phase work is approximately $416,000. Contract cost for the second phase of chip sealing is approximately $579,000. In addition to Douglas County chip sealing in 2009, Wakarusa Township will seal another approximately seven miles of township maintained roads in the eastern portion of the township. Wakarusa Township anticipates chip sealing to begin in late June and finish in July. Traffic control during county 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 county's 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:
Douglas County Website - http://www.douglas-county.com
Douglas County chip seal locations - http://www.douglas-county.com/depts/pw/docs/pdf/chipsealmap_douglascounty.pdf
Wakarusa Township chip seal locations - http://www.douglas-county.com/depts/pw/docs/pdf/chipsealmap_wakarusatownship.pdf
Media Contact:
Keith Browning, Public Works Director
Public Works Department
785-832-5293
browning@douglas-county.com