2021 Chip Seal Program

The 2021 pavement preservation project for this summer will be an application of a hot oil chip seal followed with an application of Liquid Road™ on Willow Loop between 18th Court and Coastal Highlands Drive (including 18th Court, Pine Court, and a portion of 16th Street); Coastal Highlands Drive from Willow Loop to 12th Street; and a portion of Upas Street from 12th Street north approximately 107 feet. Chip sealing operations will begin Thursday, July 22nd, weather permitting.

As we have seen with our other projects, material supply chains have been disrupted due to the extraordinary effects of the pandemic. With shortages of qualified commercial drivers and other materials, the chip seal operation will need to be completed in a more spread-out sequence. Below is the latest schedule from our contractor:

• Thursday, July 22nd, crews from Sierra Santa Fe will begin applying the chip seal to Willow Loop.
• Monday and Tuesday, July 26th/27th, crews from Sierra Santa Fe will be conducting street sweeping operations to remove excess rock chips from the road surface. This is being completed in preparation of an application of Liquid Road™. Motorists are advised that flaggers will be controlling traffic for one-way operation while work is being completed.
• Monday and Tuesday, August 3rd/4th, crews from Sierra Santa Fe will begin application of the Liquid Road™ to the chip seal. Exact timing is dependent on weather conditions. If a marine layer (fog) is present in the morning, the application of Liquid Road™ will need to wait until the fog has lifted.

Residents within the work area that park on the street are requested to remove their vehicles first thing Thursday morning July 22nd. Other days to remember to not park on the street are July 26th and 27th to facilitate street sweeping to remove the excess rock chips and on August 3rd and 4th for the Liquid Road™ application.

Residents and businesses are advised to use alternate routes to avoid the work area beginning July 22nd. If you do need to travel in these corridors, traffic control will be in place. Please slow down, be patient and attentive to the traffic control flaggers.

For additional information regarding pavement preservation, please contact Public Works at 541-997-4106.

About Pavement Preservation

Chip sealing is a common pavement maintenance practice that extends pavement life and provides a good driving surface. With chip seals, a thin film of heated asphalt liquid is sprayed on the road surface, followed by the placement of small aggregates ("chips"). The chips are compacted to orient them for maximum adherence to the asphalt, and excess stone is swept from the surface. Instead of the typical fog seal that is applied to the chip seal, this year we will be applying a new product called Liquid Road™, to protect the chip seal from harmful UV rays that deteriorate the chip seal over time; seals the chip seal from the top down virtually eliminating all loose rock that is generally associated with chip seals; and will add to the overall appearance of chip seal making it look like an ultra-thin overlay.

Liquid Road™ is a high-performance mineral and fiber reinforced asphalt emulsion blended with polymers and special surfactants that offer superior adhesion, flexibility, durability and slip resistance. Fiber reinforcement provides flexural strength resulting in a more durable surface coating. It protects against oxidation, moisture penetration, and chemicals. Liquid Road™ significantly extends pavement surface life, lasts up to three times longer than a conventional fog seal, is easy to apply, and has minimal impact on traffic flow. In addition, Liquid Road™ will minimize ’whip off’ and damaged windshield claims. It also provides a better appearance and may improve the ride quality and tire noise.