Indiana Department of Transportation maintenance crews plan to begin chip seal operations next month on S.R. 56 in Scott and Washington Counties. Work will take place starting as early as Monday, May 2, between the Salem Bypass and Zion Road east of Salem. Drivers can expect lane closures with flagging along this stretch of road.

Chip seal operations typically last three to four days per location depending upon weather. Work is completed under single lane closures with flagging or daily road closures to prevent damage to both vehicles and the roadway.

During operations, existing pavement is coated with liquid asphalt, which seals cracks and provides waterproof protection. This extends the service life of the roadway and lowers maintenance costs. Once the seal coat is complete, loose aggregate is applied and swept from the road. After a curing period, crews will return to fog seal the new driving surface and apply pavement markings.

Chip seal is a cost-effective pavement preservation technique that is utilized across the state of Indiana, saving an estimated six to 14 dollars in taxpayer expenditures for every dollar invested in extending the life of a roadway.

INDOT reminds drivers to slow down, avoid distractions, and consider worker safety when traveling through active work zones. All work is weather-dependent and schedules are subject to change.