INDOT press release
Indiana Department of Transportation maintenance crews plan to begin chip seal operations as early as Monday, July 12, on Indiana 48 in Ripley and Dearborn counties. Work will take place from Ind. 101 to approximately two miles west of U.S. 50 in Lawrenceburg.
Chip seal operations typically last around three to four days per location depending upon weather. Work is completed under lane closures with flagging to prevent damage to both vehicles and the roadway. During operations, existing pavement is coated with liquid asphalt, which seals cracks and provides waterproof protection. This extends the service life of the roadway and lowers maintenance costs. Once the seal coat is complete, loose aggregate is applied and swept from the road. After a curing period, crews will return and fog seal the new driving surface, typically within a week.
Chip seal is a cost-effective pavement preservation technique that is utilized across the state of Indiana, saving an estimated $6 to $14 in taxpayer expenditures for every $1 invested in extending the life of a roadway.
Motorists should slow down, watch for stopped traffic and drive distraction-free in and near all work zones. All work is weather dependent and schedules are subject to change.