8/11/2010
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
UPDATE: Seal-coat project planned for Chinden Boulevard starting Tuesday, on Idaho 55 later in August
BOISE
- A pair of seal coats are planned on Chinden Boulevard and on Idaho 55 toward
Horseshoe Bend beginning Tuesday (Aug.
17). The seal coats will extend the life of the roadway and provide greater
traction for motorists. These projects are expected to be done by
mid-September.
The first seal coat is on Chinden (aka U.S. 20/26) proceeding west from about Locust Grove to the
junction with I-84 in Caldwell, then from Locust Grove east to Eagle Road several days later. In all, it will cover a 15-mile area. The
Idaho 55 project starting later in August consists of 13 miles of seal coat, from the overhead message board
near Shadow Valley Golf Course north to the south city limits of Horseshoe Bend
near the Payette River bridge.
Traffic control on this project will consist of pilot cars, lane closures and restrictions. Crews will work a 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
weekday schedule on both projects. Weekend work will be prohibited, but Sunday
work (7 a.m. to 1 p.m.) will be allowed on the Chinden Boulevard job. No work will
be allowed over the Labor Day holiday weekend.
Seal coating begins by applying a layer of asphalt and then a cover coat of gravel on the roadway surface. The highway is rolled and traffic allowed on to the roadway to help pack the surface before "brooming" or sweeping to remove excess gavel. A properly applied seal coat can add several years of service to a heavily traveled roadway by sealing the surface and adding roughness for winter traction.
The work is done during the day because the extreme heat helps the asphalt and rock bond more quickly to the roadway surface, providing a higher-quality finished product.
Kloepfer Inc., of Paul, is the contractor on this $1.9 million project.