Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Whitman County Commissioners Monday approved more than $650,000 in seal coating projects for the summer.
The work will span approximately 34 miles of road and is to be paid for by a combination of $650,000 in state Arterial Preservation money and an additional 10 to 30 percent in county gas tax proceeds.
“June is asphalt season,” said Mark Storey, Public Works Director.
Sealing will take place at several locations, including stretches of Dry Creek Road, Pullman Airport Road, Colfax Airport Road and Pine City-Malden Road.
Some work is now underway with preliminary crack sealing – when heated 400 degree-asphaltic oil is injected into road cracks.
After that, the seal coating begins. First a thin layer of oil is spread across the road before a layer of 3/8-inch basalt rock chips is laid down. A roller then mashes the new surface together.
Crack and chip-sealing is regular maintenance required to preserve roads. The work is performed every eight to 10 years on major roads and 10-15 on minor roads.
For Whitman County’s 430 miles of paved road, every 12-13 years crews will have chip-sealed the whole system.
Depending on particulars, Storey indicated he won’t know exactly how much county (gas tax) money – above the state’s $650,000 – will be spent on this year’s work.
State Arterial Preservation funds are provided to all counties each year for road maintenance.
Garth Meyer is a former Whitman County Gazette reporter.
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