HOOD RIVER — Hood River County’s 2024 Chip Seal Program construction will begin June 17 and will cover several heavily used county roads. The construction should be completed by June 28, unless there are weather-related delays, said the county in a press release. After this construction period, finish work will take place in July.
“Chip sealing, carried out by Hood River County’s public works department road crew, is a proactive and cost-efficient road maintenance process used nationwide to prolong the lifespan of roads,” said the press release. “It involves spraying emulsified asphalt onto the existing road surface, followed by a layer of 3/8-inch crushed rock, creating a chip ‘seal.’ In a double-shot chip seal, a second layer of 3/8-inch crushed rock is applied atop a 5/8-inch layer of crushed rock. Rubber tire rollers are used to adhere the rock to the asphalt.”
The chip seal work will reduce traffic to single lanes while construction crews are present. Expect short traffic delays when traveling through the project area. Flaggers will be used to route traffic as needed to keep traffic flowing. Some loose gravel may remain on the road for several days while the asphalt hardens. To minimize potential damage to the chip seal and reduce the risk of loose gravel being thrown by tires, lower speed limits may be imposed temporarily.
“Bicyclists should be cautioned to avoid these roads if possible while loose rock is present,” said Road Foreman Bill Wheat of Hood River County’s public works department.
After the asphalt hardens, loose rock will be swept up in stages. In July, a diluted emulsified asphalt mixture, commonly known as a fog seal, will be applied to further seal the new road surface. Following this, roads will be restriped.
Residents and businesses within the construction zones will have access, although there may be intermittent delays. For questions or further information, contact the Hood River County Public Works Department at 541-386-2616 or email public.works@hoodrivercounty.gov.
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