Indiana Department of Transportation maintenance crews plan to begin chip seal operations this week on State Road 250 in Jackson and Jennings counties.

Work will take place starting as early as Thursday between Interstate 65 at Uniontown and State Road 3 near Paris Crossing. Motorists can expect daily closures from approximately 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. This is a new start date (originally May 10) following difficulties with materials. Access will be maintained for local residents, school buses and emergency personnel.

Chip seal operations typically last three to four days per location depending upon weather. During operations, existing pavement is coated with liquid asphalt, which seals cracks and provides waterproof protection. This extends the service life of the roadway and lowers maintenance costs, according to INDOT.

Once the seal coat is complete, loose aggregate is applied and swept from the road. After a curing period, crews will return to fog seal the new driving surface and apply pavement markings.

Chip seal is a cost-effective pavement preservation technique utilized across the state, saving an estimated $6 to $14 in taxpayer expenditures for every dollar invested in extending the life of a roadway.

INDOT also reminds drivers to slow down, avoid distractions and consider worker safety when traveling through active work zones. All work is weather-dependent, and schedules are subject to change.