6/18/2008
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
Seal coating under way on Idaho 67 and Idaho 51 in Mountain Home
BOISE - Seal coating work is under way on Idaho 51 and Idaho 67 in Elmore County, the Idaho Transportation Department announced.
An eight-mile segment of Idaho 51 along Beet Dump Road was already completed, and crews are working on the stretch of Idaho 67 from Mountain Home to the Air Force Base, and southwest down to Grandview, a total of about 24 additional miles.
Seal coating entails spraying liquid asphalt on the highway and spreading a layer of crushed rock over it. A fog coat (so called because it is applied in a "mist" process) is then applied in a light spray over the asphalt to seal the rocks to the surface and prevent fly-away rock chips. Following the application process, a sweeper with a big vacuum is used to remove the excess rocks from the surface.
After the fog coat is applied, it will require a few days before the road can be restriped and returned to the normally posted speed limit.
The purpose of the seal coat is to protect pavement from water and weather damage and to provide a semi-rough surface for improved vehicle traction.
The seal coat will only adhere properly to the roadway surface if reduced speeds are in place until the asphalt-and-rock-chip mixture solidified.
Snake River Construction of Twin Falls is the contractor on this $1.14 million project.
'ITD and the Idaho State Police warn motorists to slow down and pay attention when driving in work zones, where increased speeding fines and other penalties apply. Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead and dial 5-1-1 or visit 511.idaho.gov for driving information on the state highway or interstate system.