Indiana Department of Transportation maintenance crews will begin chip sealing a 7.5-mile section of State Road 235 in Jackson County from State Road 135 to U.S. 50 on or after Thursday, 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, according to a news release from INDOT.

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, according to INDOT.