Indiana Department of Transportation maintenance crews plan to begin chip seal operations on State Road 135 in Jackson County starting on or after May 8.

Crews will be active between State Road 135 from U.S. 50 to approximately 7 miles north of State Road 56. Motorists can expect lane closures and flagging while work is in progress.

Chip seal work will 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. 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 that is utilized across the state, saving an estimated $6 to $14 in taxpayer expenditures for every dollar invested in extending the life of a roadway, according to a news release from INDOT.

Drivers are reminded 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.