The seal coat project on Chinden Boulevard is running ahead of schedule, Idaho Transportation Department officials say, and is expected to be done by the end of the day Friday. Crews will return a few days later to apply a final fog coat -- work that can be done at night.

Since the project began on Monday (Aug. 3) near the Connector ramp on the east end of Chinden, the Idaho Transportation Department have said they have taken steps -- including limiting the time flaggers stop traffic and scheduling the work to minimize traffic interruptions at major intersections and during commute times -- to mitigate delays.

Crews are progressing at about 1.5 miles per day. By the end of Wednesday, work is expected to be finished through to Joplin Road. By the end of the day on Friday, work is expected to be complete through to Eagle Road.  

ITD explains that the seal coating begins by applying a layer of asphalt and then a cover coat of gravel on the roadway surface. The highway is rolled and traffic allowed on to the roadway to help pack the surface before "brooming" or sweeping to remove excess gavel.
 
The work is done during the day because the extreme heat helps the asphalt and rock bond more quickly to the roadway surface, providing a higher-quality finished product.

Snake River Construction of Twin Falls is the contractor on this $1.4 million project.