Tag: Rest Area

Short term closures of rest areas to begin next week in South-central Idaho for seal coating

Image of Hagerman Rest Area on US-30

Weather permitting, the Idaho Transportation Department will begin seal coating the road surface of several regional rest areas next week to preserve the pavement and provide better traction for motorists.

“Over the next three weeks, we will seal coat four different rest area locations on our state routes,” said ITD South-central Idaho Project Manager Sam Purser. “This will improve the area for travelers who use these facilities.”

While work is underway, the rest areas will be temporarily closed. Electronic message boards and barricades will be in place to notify traveling motorists. A list of anticipated closure dates for each location is as follows:

  • July 21-22: Timmerman Rest Area (Junction of Idaho Highway 75 and US-20), south of Bellevue
  • July 28-30: Bliss Rest Areas (Interstate 84), west of Bliss
  • July 30-31: Hagerman Rest Area (US-30), south of Hagerman
  • August 3-5: Cotterel Rest Areas (Interstate 84), north of Sublett

“In addition to the rest area parking lots, we will also be seal coating the on and off ramps and various short portions of I-84,” stated Purser.

Seal coating 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. It also provides a skid-resistant surface for better vehicle traction.

The process requires hot temperatures and dry weather for rocks to properly adhere to the oil.

Rock chips placed during seal coats have potential to cause windshield damage so drivers are cautioned to slow down when traveling to and from these facilities. Motorcyclists are also encouraged to exercise extreme caution when traveling through these areas.