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1. What is a “chip seal”?

Chip sealing is a cost-effective surface treatment that typically extends the life of the pavement by seven to 12 years. In the process of chip sealing, a thin film of liquid asphalt is sprayed on the road surface and small aggregate chips are spread over the asphalt. The chips are compacted to help them adhere and the excess stone is swept away. To keep out water and to improve rock retention, a final application of liquid asphalt, called a fog seal, is sprayed over surface of the road.

2. Why are we chip sealing the roads on Anderson Island?

All paved roadways in Pierce County have a service life and need preservative treatments to extend their life. The preservative treatments options range include full depth overlays using hot mix asphalt, chip seals, and other surface sealing treatments such as slurry and cape seals. The type of surface treatments selected are based on the pavement condition, average daily traffic counts, percentage of truck traffic and roadway classification (arterial, collector and local access roads). The service life of paved roadways can vary and pavement conditions are monitored, evaluated and scored to ensure the right type of treatment is applied at the right time to ensure the lowest life cycle cost is achieved.

3. How long will the chip seal work take?

We will chip seal approximately 30 lane miles. We will work weekdays June 1 to June 30. As chip seal can only be applied during dry conditions, the schedule may be adjusted depending on the weather.

4. Which roads will be chip sealed?

You can view the roadways selected for chip seal by year using the map link provided.

5. When will the project start?

The 2016 chip seal application will start June 1. Preparation work - such as mowing the roadside and making minor asphalt repairs - will be done in May.

6. How soon will I be able to drive on the new chipseal?

The new surface will be returned to traffic immediately after the chipseal has been applied. Flaggers will guide traffic through the work zones so only minor delays are expected for motorists. Drivers should reduce speeds while driving on the new chipseal and be alert for street sweepers who follow the crew removing loose chip rock. After the roadway is swept, striping crews will restripe the roads with existing centerline striping.