Indiana Department of Transportation maintenance crews will begin chip sealing a 12.5-mile section State Road 46 in Bartholomew and Decatur counties, from State Road 3 (west of Greensburg) to the junction of State Road 9 (west of Newbern), beginning May 20, weather permitting.
Motorists should expect delays in the area due to lane closures in the work zone. Flaggers will be present to manage traffic.
Chip sealing coats existing pavement with liquid asphalt, sealing cracks and providing waterproof protection. This extends the service life of the roadway and lowers maintenance costs.
Small chips of limestone are used to cover the asphalt, preventing it from spraying vehicles or sticking to tires. The chips also restore surface friction for improved skid resistance, maneuverability, and driver safety.
Chip seal is a cost-effective pavement preservation technique, saving $6 to $14 in taxpayer expenditures for every $1 invested in extending the life of a roadway.
