Crews will begin sealcoating portions of US-12 and US-95 starting Wednesday, July 22 to protect the roadway surface and provide greater traction for motorists. This work is expected to extend into early August.
The work will take place in a 30-mile stretch of US-12, from Spalding Bridge to the west end of Orofino, and a five-mile stretch of US-95, from the Spalding Bridge to the west end of Aht’Wy Plaza. The work will begin near Orofino and progress west.
Delays of up to 15 minutes can be expected, with east- and westbound traffic reduced to one lane each through four-lane sections and all traffic reduced to one lane through two-lane sections during working hours. A pilot car will be used to safely guide traffic. It will be a “rolling” work zone, progressing in two-mile segments as the work moves.
Crews will work a weekday schedule of 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. No weekend work is anticipated but may be required in order to achieve a timely completion of the project.
Sealcoating is a surface treatment performed during the summer months to preserve and extend the life of Idaho’s roadways by applying a layer of oil and rock chips. The process requires hot temperatures and dry weather for rocks to properly adhere to the oil.
Rock chips placed during sealcoats have potential to cause windshield damage so drivers are cautioned to slow down when traveling to and from these areas.