ADA COUNTY — Crews at the Ada County Highway District will begin annual chip seal operations next week.
Crews are spending this week completing training and equipment preparation and will officially begin operations in Preventative Maintenance Zone 7 on Monday, June 1, weather permitting.
ACHD plans to chip seal approximately 350 lane miles of roadway this summer in Zone 7, which spans from Eagle Road west to Ten Mile Road, between Chinden Boulevard and I-84. The zone also includes the area west of Ten Mile Road to the Ada County line, between Ustick Road and I-84. ACHD will have two chip seal crews again this year.
The zone includes a mix of arterial, collector, and residential streets. ACHD’s goal is to apply chip seal to all arterial and collector roadways, as well as approximately half of the residential streets within the area.
On-street parking will be restricted during each phase of work. Temporary "No Parking" signs will be placed near sidewalks the day before work begins in the area. Residents will need to move vehicles off the street during operations. Vehicles remaining in signed areas may be towed.
To help residents stay informed, an interactive chip seal map is available at achdidaho.org/chipseal. The map is updated daily and shows where crews are working and where chip seal has been completed. Residents can also sign up for weekly updates through the ACHD website.
Drivers are encouraged to slow down in chip seal zones to avoid damage from loose gravel and oil, and to help protect the crews working on the roadway. Drivers should plan extra time for their commutes when heading through roads being chip sealed.
“Chip seal is a key part of ACHD’s preventative maintenance program,” said Tom Otte, ACHD's Deputy Director of Operations. “While the work can create short-term inconveniences, it helps prevent more costly and disruptive repairs in the future.”
Residents can learn more about the why, how, when, and where behind the annual chip seal process on ACHD’s website at achdidaho.org/chipseal.
Chip seal season is expected to wrap up in September. All work is weather dependent.
