Topic: It's that oil and chipping time of year again.

[shacolaid]

In Western PA where I live, every spring PennDOT and other townships begin doing something to the roads that make them unrideable until a good rain washes off the "chips". Of course I am referring to the "Oil and Chipping" of our roads. They are going to begin this on the road that I take to work this week. Does any one else experience this where they live? It sucks. Essentially laying down a road width of oil and then spreading stones over the oil. I guess it is supposed to extend the life of the road surface. Man it is awful even driving in a car, but I am afraid of it when on my bike. Loose chips flying everywhere with OIL underneath.
Anyone have experience with this too?

[Bob Wessner]

They do some of that here in Mich. on secondary, rural roads also. Not too bad. Just have to take it easy right after it's done. It's like riding on loose gravel.. which it is.  If there is enough traffic on the road, in a few days, most of the driving surface is cleared.

[333]

I'm having trouble understanding the point of that.  "Hmm.  The fire and police departments are slow this time of year, what can we, the DOT do to help.  Ooo, I know!  Let's put oil AND loose gravel on the roads and see what happens."


I do remember the roads in my neighborhood being tar and gravel when I was a kid.  I still have a scar on my knee from my first trip down the hill on a bicycle that was too big for me.

[OldSkool]

I'm having trouble understanding the point of that.  "Hmm.  The fire and police departments are slow this time of year, what can we, the DOT do to help.  Ooo, I know!  Let's put oil AND loose gravel on the roads and see what happens."


I do remember the roads in my neighborhood being tar and gravel when I was a kid.  I still have a scar on my knee from my first trip down the hill on a bicycle that was too big for me.

They do the same here but it's not like they cover the entire width of the road with tar and gravel. It's basically just pot hole repair from the tough Maine winters where they patch bad potholes with hot asphalt patch. It is quite slick, and the bits of loose gravel are a serious nuisance. Not only do they create a traction hazard but they also stick to tires and are kicked up and become projectiles.

Be safe

[Duke McDukiedook]

Chip seals and slurry seals- meant to get a few more years of cycle life out of the road until you mill and overlay usually. The rock is only there to protect the oil or crack sealing that happened previously.

Your helpful DOT would be wasting more of your tax money if they didn't do it, just go slow.

[Frankenkit]

Chipseal is scary, scary stuff. Any real advice except to "be careful"?