Missoula City Street Division crews begin applying oil and chips as part of the City’s annual Chip Seal Street Maintenance Program on Monday, July 29.
The City of Missoula annually seals the surface of about 100 blocks of streets using the chip seal method. The oil and chip seals the asphalt surface from weather erosion and extends the life of the pavement in the same way as painting a home. Sealing streets delays reconstruction and saves dollars and disruption for Missoula’s residents. The City initiated this annual program in 1987. In the 25 years of its street maintenance program, the City has sealed a majority of the eligible streets and has started the next phase of street preservation by returning to many of the streets sealed and protected early in the program.
The chip seal project is expected to finish around Aug 8. The loose “chip” rock will be left on the street for an additional two to three weeks until street sweepers, after which street sweepers will sweep the chips. For the next year, the street will have a slightly rough surface because of the chip rock. All loose chip rock is eventually swept up.
The streets benefiting from this year’s chip seal surfacing are listed below in a tentative order in which they will be completed. Weather and/or workload could change the scheduling.
Duncan Drive, Mountain View Drive to northern end
East and West Main Street, North Orange Street to Madison Street
East Front Street, Higgins Avenue to Madison Street
West Spruce Street, North Orange Street to Nora Street
North Russell Street, West Broadway to West Railroad Street
South Sixth Street West, Schilling Street to Kemp Street
Schilling Street, South Sixth Street West to South Seventh Street West
Johnson Street, South Avenue West to South 14th Street West
Arthur Avenue, South Avenue West to East Beckwith Avenue
Burlington Avenue, South Higgins Avenue to Bancroft Street
Strand Avenue, South Higgins Avenue to Bancroft Street
Kensington Avenue, South Higgins Avenue to Bancroft Street
North Avenue West, South Higgins Avenue to Bancroft Street
West Kent Avenue, South Higgins Avenue to Bancroft Street
West Central Avenue, South Higgins Avenue to Bancroft Street
West Sussex Avenue, South Higgins Avenue to Hollis Street
South Avenue West, South Higgins Avenue to Holborn Street
Lester Street, South Avenue West to North Avenue West
Thames Street, South Avenue West to Mount Avenue
Park Street, South Avenue West to Mount Avenue
Hollis Street, South Avenue West to Mount Avenue
Queen Street, West Central Avenue to North Avenue West
Blaine Street, Mount Avenue to South Higgins Avenue
Plymouth Street, Mount Avenue to South Higgins Avenue
Ford Street, Mount Avenue to South Higgins Avenue
Hill Street, Mount Avenue to South Higgins Avenue
Roosevelt Street, Brooks Street to South Higgins Avenue
Tremont Street, Brooks Street to South Higgins Avenue
East Florence Street, Brooks Street to South Higgins Avenue
West Beckwith Avenue, Brooks Street to South Higgins Avenue
East Crosby Street, Brooks Street to South Higgins Avenue
East Franklin Street, Brooks Street to South Higgins Avenue
Thanks in advance to drivers and cyclists for their patience during this summer project.
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