News Flash

Contact:
Allison Tabiando                                   Fay Lim
Communications Specialist II              Communications Supervisor
Allison.Tabiando@snoco.org             Fay.Lim@snoco.org 
425-388-3126                                      425-388-6413

 

Snohomish County Public Works to Resurface 109 Miles of Roads 

This Summer

2016 Paving Program and Chip Seal Program begin annual work

 

EVERETT, Wash., May 5, 2016 – Snohomish County Public Works has begun its annual road resurfacing programs targeting 109 miles of county roadways. Motorists will experience smoother driving conditions after the county improves the streets.

The county annually evaluates its roads to develop a multi-year plan to preserve and maintain county streets in the most cost-effective way. This year, the county will pave 13 miles of road with asphalt through its Paving Program. It will also pre-level and/or chip seal approximately 96 miles of road through its Chip Seal Program.

Paving Program
This year’s paving work will take place between May and October. Where necessary, sidewalk ramps will also be upgraded to meet current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. The Paving Program focuses on preserving pavement while it is still in fair condition by placing a new layer of asphalt over the existing one. A typical paved road has a serviceable life of 15-30 years depending upon location, traffic volumes, weather, and truck/heavy vehicle usage. The work will be completed by paving contractors.

Chip Seal Program
Pre-leveling work began in April, while chip sealing work will begin in mid-June. Snohomish County Road Maintenance crews began pre-leveling work in the northwest area of the county and will work their way south and east. In mid-June, crews will switch equipment and materials and begin placing chip seals starting in south county areas and work their way north. All chip sealing is expected to be completed by mid-September.

The county’s Road Maintenance crews will use approximately 11,000 tons of asphalt to pre-level. This includes patching potholes and improving uneven or failing pavement prior to completing the chip seal work. Chip sealing extends the life of the road surface for an additional seven to 10 years.

Once the chips are pressed into place by a roller, the road is then opened to traffic. A temporary speed limit of 20 miles per hour will be in effect during the week following the chip seal placement. Adherence to this temporary speed limit will minimize the likelihood of loose, flying chips causing damage to a vehicle’s body or windshield. Crews will return within a week to sweep up any loose chips and, if needed, replace pavement striping.

Both chip seal and paving work are weather dependent and all preliminary schedules are subject to change.

Work is scheduled for the following unincorporated areas of Snohomish County:  

For more information about the Paving Program or Chip Seal Program and maps of the identified roads, visit www.snohomishcountywa.gov/resurfacing.

About Snohomish County Public Works
             
The Snohomish County Public Works Department employs approximately 600 staff members that develop and maintain county roads; control and manage surface water quantity, quality, and fish habitats; and oversee the recycling and disposal of solid waste. The department’s main office is located at 3000 Rockefeller Ave., Everett, WA 98201. For more information about Snohomish County Public Works, visit www.snohomishcountywa.gov/PublicWorks.