Indiana wraps up chip sealing projects for 2015

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) said Friday that its maintenance crews have finished all chip seal projects for the year 2015.

The crews have maintained over 1,200 miles of state roads using a surface treatment designed to preserve the pavement. With this treatment, which contains stone chips, the roads should last longer.

Throughout 2015, INDOT workers used over 17,000 tons of liquid asphalt and 86,000 tons of crushed stone for the new seal coat. This project amounted to $12.7 million for its operational resources. INDOT estimated $8 million in tax dollars was saved in using INDOT crews rather than contracted work.

With many years of traffic wear and the freeze and thaw cycles of winter, roads in Indiana have started to show their age. Small cracks were beginning to develop. If left as is, moisture could settle into the cracks and creatse potholes as the moisture freezes and expands over time.

The new chip-seal treatment is designed to seal off the cracks so that moisture cannot seep into them. The stone chips are used to improve the traction on the roads, particularly as winter approaches.