NORTH SEATTLE - Bicyclists and motorcyclists are encouraged to use extreme caution this summer when riding on streets that have been newly chip-sealed, which produces a large amount of loose gravel.
The Seattle Department of Transportation is resealing about 42 lane miles of selected streets in Maple Leaf and Broadview neighborhoods, starting Tuesday, July 10, and throughout the month. Crews will post caution signs at entrances to these areas.
The newly chip-sealed streets will have loose gravel for several days after the chip-seal operation as it takes that long for the chip-seal to set enough for sweepers to remove the excess gravel.
Chip-sealing strengthens the road surface and helps prevent water from penetrating and causing such damage as potholes. It must be done about every 10 years to preserve the street surface.
It involves spreading an emulsion on the street, spreading gravel and then pressing it into the emulsion. Once the gravel is set, any loose gravel is swept away.
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