Street Maintenance Projects

City of Missoula Street Operations & Maintenance Division crews will be hard at work chip sealing some city streets beginning July 21. The work will continue through Aug. 7, subject to weather conditions.

To see a list of streets being treated this year and learn about what to expect, residents can visit our chip and seal program webpage.

Drivers and bicyclists can expect:

• All streets will remain open to two-way traffic, but travel lanes will be shifted to allow room for equipment. Watch for flaggers and traffic control devices.
• There may be minor traffic delays, including short, intermittent detours along the streets being treated.
• Loose rock chips will remain on the treated streets for two to three weeks so that they can embed in the asphalt.
• No-parking barricades will go up a day in advance.

All street users, including motorcyclists and bicyclists, should go slowly while the rock chips settle to avoid sliding or dislodging rock chips that may hit others. Excess loose rock will be swept up.

Chip sealing is the process of applying a layer of asphalt oil sealant, then covering it with a layer of small “chip” rock. The process keeps moisture out and protects the street surface, which helps prevent potholes and increases asphalt life expectancy. Chip sealing is only one-quarter of the cost of a new asphalt surface, which allows the City to maintain more streets. The City initiated the annual chip seal program in 1987. Since then, the City has sealed most of the eligible streets sealed and protected early in the program. City crews also chip seal new asphalt a year or two after installation to start the pavement preservation process.

For questions or interviews: Contact Brian Hensel, Deputy Public Works and Mobility Director for Streets, at henselb@ci.missoula.mt.us or 406-240-2742.