Overview
A sealcoat will be applied to State Highway 3 between the SH-6 Junction and Emerald Creek Road this summer to preserve the highway and provide a safe ride for travelers.
What is a sealcoat?
A seal coat, often called a chip seal, is process that involves spraying a thin layer of liquid asphalt on the roadway and then applying a layer of small, crushed rock or ‘chips’ on top. The application is then compacted with a roller to embed the rock into the asphalt and bind it to the existing pavement surface. Excess chips are then swept off the roadway once the surface cures.
This process seals small cracks in the road, restores traction, and extends the life of the roadway at a much lower cost than fully reconstructing it.
What to expect during construction
Sealcoat operations move steadily along the highway using a mobile work zone. Crews will alternate a single lane of traffic around the work zone using pilot cars and/or flaggers which will result in short delays. Drivers should also expect reduced speed limits through the work area for the safety of crews, other drivers and also to protect vehicles from damage from loose rock on the roadway.
A nearby project will have similar impacts to traffic further south on SH-3 as crews work to re-pave a 7-mile stretch of the highway between Emerald Creek and Clarkia. Drivers traveling the corridor should plan for additional delays and use Idaho 511 for up-to-date information regarding delays and impacts.
Timeline
Sealcoat work is expected to take approximately 1 month to complete, with additional time necessary for replacement of signs and guardrail. The project will be fully completed by fall of 2026.
Contact the project team
Email the project manager at preston.sochovka@itd.idaho.gov, or call (208) 772-1200 for questions or comments regarding this project.