7/22/2010
Seal coating project to begin on Interstate 90 over Fourth of July Pass
COEUR d'ALENE - Seal coating will begin on Interstate 90 over the Fourth of July Pass on Thursday (July 29), the Idaho Transportation Department announced. The work is part of the department's ongoing maintenance of the highway system.
Crews will begin Thursday on the westbound travel lane and then switch to the eastbound travel lane. Seal coating of the westbound and eastbound passing lanes will follow.
The interstate will be reduced to one lane in each direction during seal coating. The speed limit will be reduced to 45 mph through the work zone, and a vehicle width restriction of 14-feet-6-inches will be in place.
Seal coating is a process designed to prolong the life of the roadway surface. A thin layer of asphalt is laid down, followed by a layer of rock chips. Once the liquid asphalt has set up, excess rock chips that have not adhered to the surface are removed.
Crews will broom and fog seal the roadway surface in both directions. Fog sealing is a thin layer of asphalt sprayed over a roadway to seal the surface, protecting it from moisture penetration.
In the coming weeks, seal coating operations also will take place on Idaho 3 south of St. Maries, U.S. 95 south of Coeur d'Alene and Idaho 53 from the Washington state line to the junction with U.S. 95 north of Hayden.
The contractor for the $1.6 million seal coat projects is Intermountain Slurry Seal, of Salt Lake City. All work is expected to be completed by Aug. 31.
ITD and the Idaho State Police caution 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 information on the state highway or interstate system.