FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The Indiana Department of Transportation announces pavement preservation projects are scheduled for the southwest and central sections of the INDOT Fort Wayne District beginning on Thursday, Aug. 1.

Chip seal operations began this morning along SR 124, between SR 15 and SR 9 in Wabash and Huntington counties, and on SR 18 between U.S. 31 and SR 13 in Miami and Grant counties. Beginning the week of Aug. 5, chip seal operations will continue on the above-listed roads as needed, after which operations will move to the following state roads:

SR 13 in Wabash/Kosciusko counties, between SR 114 and SR 14
SR 218 in Miami County, between U.S. 31 and SR 19
SR 205 in Whitley County, between SR 5 and the town of Churubusco
SR 5 in Huntington and Whitley counties, between US 24 and SR 14

During these operations, traffic will be reduced to one lane, controlled by flaggers, as INDOT forces perform the chip seal operation to maintain the road surface. Crews will be present during daytime hours, and a reduced speed limit of 45 mph will be in effect.  Please note: this project is dependent on dry weather, and may be delayed if conditions aren’t adequate.

The chip seal process consists of distributing a liquid asphalt emulsion on the roadway and covering the liquid asphalt with crushed stone to provide a new wearing surface. Once the asphalt has cured, any excess chips left on the roadway are swept from the surface.

Chip sealing extends the life of a roadway by protecting it from moisture, ultraviolet degradation and any other damaging exposures. In addition to sealing the pavement, chip seal applications reestablish surface friction – improving safety for the motoring public. Of the pavement preservation methods employed by the state, chip sealing is perhaps the most cost effective. Studies show that every $1 invested in chip seal operations saves $6 to $14 in future roadway costs.

Drivers should exercise caution in this area during the project. Loose stone will be present on the roadway during the initial cure of the asphalt, and can damage windshields and paint on vehicles that may be following each other too closely. It is recommended, when traveling on a recently chip sealed road, that drivers slow down and allow additional space between vehicles.