ADA COUNTY- The Ada County Highway District is set to kick off annual chip seal operations Tuesday, May 30 on streets in Boise and unincorporated Ada County.
ACHD plans to chip seal just over 300 lane miles of roadway in Boise City this summer. Crews will cover Preventative Maintenance Zone 4, which includes portions south of Myrtle Street, south of the Boise River; Cole Road, south of I-184; portions of Curtis and Franklin roads; as well as portions from Pleasant Valley Road east and portions from Kuna Mora Road north.
An interactive map is available on ACHD's website, which will be updated daily showing where crews are working, and where chip seal has been completed.
During operations in residential areas, impacted residents and businesses will receive notices five to ten days before work begins. This notice will include intended timelines; however, all work is weather dependent, and timelines may shift.
While chip sealing on residential streets, on-street parking will be affected during each phase of the chip seal operation. In some areas, temporary "No Parking" signs will be placed by the sidewalks next to the street 24 to 48 hours before work is set to begin. Residents will need to move their vehicles and refrain from parking on the street during operations. Remaining vehicles will be towed.
It is especially important for drivers to slow down in chip seal zones to avoid kicking up loose chips and oil, which can damage vehicles. Drivers should plan extra time for their commute when heading through roads being chip sealed.
"Chip seal is a necessary tool to proactively protect and maintain the Ada County transportation network," said ACHD Commission President Alexis Pickering. "This annual operation prolongs the life cycle of our roadways by approximately seven years, providing safe travel and saving the taxpayers money."
The chip seal process seals and protects roads from usual weather and wear.
"It's important to stay ahead of the game when it comes to maintaining our roadways," said Deputy Director of Maintenance and Operations, Jennifer Berenger. "Chip seal provides a layer of protection and can extend the life of the roadway at a significantly lower cost than alternative methods."
Alternative methods to maintain and repair roadways include the process to mill and inlay, which costs an estimated ten times the amount of chip sealing. Without preventative maintenance, roadways in disrepair require a full reconstruction.
Residents can learn more about the why, how, when, and where behind the annual chip seal process on ACHD's website.
Chip seal season is expected to be complete by September, weather permitting.