Weather permitting, on Monday (June 1) the Idaho Transportation Department will begin sealcoating a portion of US-20 west of Fairfield from milepost 124 to 151 to preserve the pavement.
“Over the next two weeks, we will sealcoat approximately 27 miles of highway,” said ITD Project Manager Sam Purser. “This is the final stage of the US-20 paving and safety improvement project that took place in that area last year.”
While work is underway, the roadway will be reduced to a single lane. Both lanes will be open to traffic outside of working hours.
Motorists should anticipate short delays and watch for the presence of flaggers or pilot cars during the day.
Sealcoating is a surface treatment that takes place during the summer months to preserve and extend the life of Idaho’s roadways by applying a layer of oil and rock chips. It also provides a skid-resistant surface for better vehicle traction.
The process requires hot temperatures and dry weather for chips to properly adhere to the oil.
Chips placed during sealcoats have potential to cause windshield damage so drivers are cautioned to slow down and pay attention to reduced speeds and no-passing zones throughout the work area.