Routine maintenance to preserve the life of the roadway was completed in 2018. The chip seal is the most appropriate and cost-effective approach to preventing any problems in the future it is not fixing any issues but is one more step in providing the best pavement for the conditions.
The SMA asphalt that was placed last year was chosen for the SR-248 corridor because it is a durable asphalt for cold winter conditions. Shortly after paving the area, more water appeared in areas along the road surface than expected. This is not a sign of poor quality but shows the pavement is acting the way it is intended. Testing and inspections throughout and after construction show the SMA was placed meeting all specifications and we are confident the pavement is structurally sound.
The chip seal applied for this situation has been used on multiple state highways and interstates throughout Utah. In regards to the chip seal application, UDOT has reduced the amount of stone that is placed so there is less chip loss (or chips moving off the road). The chips are lighter than they have been in the past and once they are in place they are covered with a flush coat to minimize spreading and fill the voids between the chips. Smaller chips will be applied on the shoulders to minimize debris.
UDOT is committed to meet the needs of the context of the area by providing the most appropriate applications to care for the pavement. UDOT is confident that this is a quality product and will meet the needs of the community as intended for the next 5-7 years.