WEST CENTRAL, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)— The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) has announced that it will be starting chip seal operations in Vigo, Clay, Owen, and Greene Counties.
The operations are set to begin on or after June 23 if weather permits. Chip seal operations will take place on State Road 63 between State Road 246 and Lombardi Drive just south of the U.S. Penitentiary and on State Road 157 between Clay City and State Road 48 near Worthington.
After that work is completed, crews will then begin work on fog seal operations that are expected to take 48 hours. Once fog seal operations are done, Crews will start chip seal operations on State Road 46 between State Road 641 to State Road 59.
Crews will be placing message boards at the end of the project to let the public know that INDOT recommends finding alternative routes during the duration of the chip sealing operation. Work will be completed with lane closures, with either flaggers present or a full closure to prevent damage to the vehicles and roadway.
Operations consist of the existing pavement being coated with liquid asphalt, which seals cracks and provides waterproofing protection. This is done to extend the life of the roadway by three to five years and lower maintenance costs. Once the seal coat is complete, loose aggregate is laid down and swept from the road. After it cures, crews return to fog seal the driving surface and apply markings.
INDOT said that they make many efforts during these operations that they can to reduce vehicle damage during and after these operations. Some of these measures include posting reduced speed in work zone signs and closing lanes and roadways.
Chip seal is a cost-effective technique that INDOT claims saves six to fourteen dollars in taxpayer expenditures for every dollar invested in nurturing the roadway. INDOT wants to remind motorists to drive carefully through work zones.
