Winter-worn county roads to get summer makeover

Next generation of chip seal technology will give new life to some roads

The remaining weeks of warm, sunny weather will be made to order for  crews attempting to reverse harsh winter damage on an estimated 50 miles of roadway in unincorporated King County.

This year, the County Road Services Division will use a more cost-effective approach to reverse the effects of worn and weather-damaged roadway.  Beginning  in August, crews will use an improved chip sealing process on 20 miles of roadway in the West Snoqualmie Valley, North Bend, and Enumclaw areas.

The resurfacing method will allow the County’s road dollars to be stretched further in order to preserve as many deteriorating roadways as possible.

While chip seal has been around for decades, significant improvements have been made in technology and materials. These improvements, coupled with its relatively inexpensive cost, have made chip seal an attractive alternative to traditional asphalt overlay on some roads.

The chip seal process involves the application of liquid asphalt and small quarter-inch rock chips on the roadway. The treatment has been proven to be a successful short-term solution in preventing continued road deterioration.

About 30 miles of unincorporated roadway will also be paved with asphalt this season. That process will include patching cracks and potholes, grinding away worn surfaces, rebuilding damaged roadbeds and shoulders, and repairing drainage systems before the new pavement is added.

Most of the roads scheduled to receive asphalt overlay will occur in areas near Federal Way, Enumclaw, Covington, Redmond, Duvall and North Bend. Most of the paving work will occur during non-peak travel times to minimize disruptions.

To learn more about the County’s annual overlay and chip seal program and roads scheduled to be improved, visit www.kingcounty.gov/roadrepair.