Public Works
Public Works Blog
Summer means it's road preservation time
Posted On: June 22, 2017
Have you checked the Public Works website to see which roads are scheduled for preservation – or chip sealing – work this summer?
The roads in the Preservation Program were previously identified based on a rating system that defines what state the pavement is in and what fix is required. Roads scheduled for the Preservation Program this year are:
- Cashmere District: Bardin James, Zager, Fairview Canyon, Bridge Street, Iroquois Lane, Hay Canyon, Pioneer Way and Main Street.
- Chelan District: Cagle Gulch, Union Valley Road, Antoine Creek and North Bradley Street.
- Leavenworth District: Camp 12 Road, Plain Ranches Road, Hazel Street, Hazel Lane, Wye Connector Road, Lake Wenatchee Highway, Maple Drive and White River.
- Wenatchee District: Mission Ridge Road, Forest Ridge Road, Tamarack Place, Summit View Place, Pinehurst Place, Fircrest, Alder Court and No. 2 Canyon Road.
Chip-sealing is a three-step process: crack sealing, pre-level work and then, lastly, chip sealing.
Crews have been out crack sealing for the past several weeks on Preservation Program roads. Crack sealing is just what it sounds like. It’s a preventative maintenance step where hot sealant is filled into cracks in the roadway to prevent against further water damage.
Once all the roads are crack sealed, crews return for pre-level work. Beginning the week of June 26, crews will apply a thin layer of asphalt over Preservation Program roads to fill in ruts and low spots in preparation for chip sealing.
Chip sealing is a coating of liquid asphalt and gravel applied to an existing roadway. Chip sealing, when all the steps are completed, is effective for seven to 10 years.
To allow each process to cure – and for efficiency – each step of the process is completed throughout the county prior to moving onto the next one. This means, if you live on a road slated for the Preservation Program, it’s likely you will see crews in front of your home more than once during the summer road construction season.
Motorists should expect travel delays during both the pre-level and chip-sealing processes. Expect to see one-lane, flagger-controlled traffic with up to 20-minute delays. Motorist are advised to find alternate routes when crews are in their area.
Go to the Pavement Preservation Program page for a view of the 2017 program’s roadways. Also go to the FAQ page for more information about the preservation process. And to keep up on crews’ progress, watch the Chelan County Public Works Facebook page throughout the summer.
Older Articles
2018 road preservation project revs up
Posted On: May 03, 2018
The 2018 Road Preservation Program is underway throughout Chelan County. Read about the list of roadways in the preservation program this year....
Read More arrow_forwardLocal effort results in radar signs being installed at Leavenworth bridge
Posted On: December 27, 2017
A group of Leavenworth citizens, concerned about drivers speeding on the Icicle Road bridge, recently pooled its resources together to come up with a ...
Read More arrow_forwardHelping out your county snowplow operators this winter
Posted On: December 06, 2017
While snowplow operators are working hard to keep people safe on county roads, they need a little help from the traveling public. We’re passing along ...
Read More arrow_forwardSpeed Limits 101
Posted On: December 06, 2017
A common call we get at Chelan County Public Works is from frustrated residents who want to know what they can do about motorists driving over the spe...
Read More arrow_forwardPublic Works Equipment Roadeo winners headed to state competition
Posted On: September 27, 2017
Four Chelan County Public Works employees will represent the county when they compete next month for state honors at the Equipment Roadeo, an event of...
Read More arrow_forwardWho ya gonna call?
Posted On: July 24, 2017
Standing in Clear Creek recently with a portable charger strapped to his back, Gray Rand looked like he was searching for ghosts. But this senior scie...
Read More arrow_forwardWhat's a Small Quantity Generator?
Posted On: May 30, 2017
It's time for all Chelan County SQGs to register for the September household hazardous waste collection event. Register by Sept. 8....
Read More arrow_forwardFree mulch available at Chelan Transfer Station
Posted On: April 07, 2017
The brush yard at the Chelan Transfer Station has a HUGE surplus of mulch that it's offering up for free to local residents....
Read More arrow_forward5 tips to remember when visiting a drop-off recycling center
Posted On: March 24, 2017
We asked Chelan County Solid Waste Coordinator Brenda Blanchfield to share the most common mistakes solid waste crews see over and over again at drop-...
Read More arrow_forwardCounty crews on pothole patrol
Posted On: March 22, 2017
Spring means it's pothole patrol time. Learn how potholes form and how to report them to Chelan County Public Works....
Read More arrow_forward