Welcome to the City of Bend Oregon Website

Skip header

Home > Departments > Street Maintenance > Summer Street Operations > Chip Seal Projects

WELCOME

Accessibility Improvements

Bend Beautification Program

Seasonal Operations

Street Preservation

Street Sweeping

Traffic Control Signs & Markings

Skip to News and Highlights

Chip Seal Projects

A chip seal is a coating of liquid asphalt and rock applied to an existing paved surface to extend the life of the pavement. The application seals small cracks that may be forming and restores a flexible surface to the roadway.

Chip sealing is an important part of the pavement preservation program because it stops water from seeping through the surface and damaging the pavement and road base (see potholes). Our Chip Seal Program is accomplished through a cooperative effort between the City of Bend Public Works Department and the Deschutes County Road Department.

Nearly 17 miles of chip seal projects will be completed on City of Bend streets during the 2009 construction season, from mid-July through August. The projects are listed below by scheduled start date.

For more details about chip seals, especially if your street is on the list for this year, check out our Chip Seal FAQs.

UPDATED: AUGUST 24, 2009

Date*	Street Name	Project Limits**	Lane Miles
Aug 24	Brookswood Blvd	Reed Market Roundabout - SW Larkwood	4.58

Aug 24	SW Century Dr	Mt Washington Roundabout - SW Mammoth	2.29

Aug 25	SW Century Dr	SW Mammoth to City Limits	3.70

~~Aug 25~~	~~SW Simpson Dr~~	~~Century Dr Roundabout to SW 15th St~~	~~0.28~~

Aug 26	NW Shevlin Park Rd	NW College Way Roundabout - Mt Washington Dr	3.78

~~Aug 27~~	~~NE Olney Ave~~	~~NE 3rd St to NE 8th St~~	~~1.25~~

Aug 27	NW OB Riley Rd	NW Empire Blvd to Hardy Rd	2.60

*SCHEDULES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DUE TO WEATHER AND EQUIPMENT FAILURE
**TRAFFIC CONTROL AND DETOURS WILL BE PRESENT DURING ALL CONSTRUCTION HOURS (7 AM - 5 PM)

Chip Seal Projects FAQ

Q. What is a chip seal?
A . A chip seal is a coating of liquid asphalt and rock chips applied to the existing roadway to extend the life of the pavement. There are three steps in the chip sealing process – applying an oil patch to the most degraded areas, putting down the chip seal, and sweeping up excess rock chips.

Q. Why was my street chosen?
A. Though your street is in basically sound condition, it needs routine maintenance to protect it. Chip sealing, which is effective for 3-5 years, stops water from seeping through the surface and damaging the pavement and road base (potholes). It costs less to apply chip seal to the street surface than to fix the street base if it is damaged.

Q. How long does the process take?
A. Once oil patches are applied, they are allowed to cure for one-two weeks before the chip seal is added. The sweeping is done as soon as possible after the chip seal, usually within 1-2 days based upon weather and the availability of work crews. While the surface can be driven or walked on at any stage, after the process is complete it takes about two weeks before the chip seal is firmly set.

Q. What if it rains?
A. If it is raining or if rain is in the forecast, we will assign our crews to other work for the day. Chip seal must go on a dry surface. That is also why we ask that you make sure any sprinklers are turned off beginning at midnight the night before the chip seal work is scheduled.

Q. How will I know when the work will begin?
A. You will receive a notice at your door a few days ahead of time. If it does rain, work may be delayed.

Q. What about parking my car?
A. Please move your car off the street from the time the chip sealing begins to the completion of the chip sealing process – a period of approximately 2-3 days. You will always be able to drive through the area, but the entire street surface must be available for the work crews. Please also let family, friends and delivery people know not to park their vehicle on the street during that time period. If a vehicle is left on the street, we try to find the owner, but delays cost tax money. Therefore, cars not moved by the time the work begins will be towed. If your car is towed, contact the Public Works Street Division at 541 317-3000.

Q. How will I know when the work is completed?
A. The street will be open for traffic and parking after the chip seal is complete. The pavement will have a new, black asphalt coating.

Link to more street preservation program information.

For more information, contact the
Street Services Division at 541 317-3000