6/12/2012
Seal coating projects beginning on interstate, state highways
SHOSHONE – With warmer weather expected to begin soon, so to will temperature-specific roadway projects throughout the Magic Valley. Among them will be about 150 miles of roadway seal coats on area highways, the Idaho Transportation Department announced.
In addition to several rural roadways, many city sections of highway are due to be seal coated. These sections, paved this spring or in recent years, include Blue Lakes Boulevard and South Washington Street in Twin Falls, Main Street in Jerome, Idaho Street in Hagerman and Overland Road in Burley.
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 seal coat preserves the integrity of the new asphalt and serves as a barrier to water and cracking.
Seal coating begins by applying a layer of asphalt followed by 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 gravel.
The work is done during the day to allow higher temperatures to help bond the asphalt and rock more quickly to the roadway surface, providing a higher-quality finished product.
Drivers are urged to use caution in all areas of seal coating. Observing posted speed limits and increasing the distance between vehicles will reduce the risk of windshield damage caused by loose gravel.
Seal coat operations are expected to begin at many locations throughout the Magic Valley beginning in mid-June. All seal coat operations are expected to be completed by end of August.
Districtwide seal coats include:
I-84 King Hill to Bliss
Burley to Jct. I-86
Cotterell POE to Idahome interchange
Sweetzer interchange to Cassia County line
U.S. 20 Milepost 130 to Camas County line
Poison Creek to milepost 181
Gannett Road to Silver Creek
U.S. 30 Hagerman, Idaho Street
Kimberly Road, Cemetery to 3400 East
U.S. 93 Twin Falls, Falls to Pole Line microseal
Twin Falls Alternate Route
Idaho 24 East of Shoshone
Idaho 25 Jerome, Main Street
100 East Road to I-84, Minidoka Co.
Idaho 27 Burley, Overland Road
Idaho 46 Buhl to Snake River
South of I-84
North of Wendell
Idaho 74 U.S. 93 to Twin Falls
Idaho 75 U.S. 20 to milepost 105
Hailey to Ketchum microseal (similar to a seal coat, but the materials are premixed and it cures for a few hours prior to traffic being placed on the surface. The microseal is often used in higher-traffic areas.)
Frenchman Creek to Stanley
Idaho 77 South of Albion