Public Works road crews began spraying sealant on 22 miles of the most-traveled roads on Orcas over a four-day period beginning July 7. It is part of a program to “fog seal” all roads that handle more than 1000 autos per day.

The petroleum emulsion sealant helps the rock adhere to chip sealed roads and improves the visibility of striping. The fog seal cures fairly quickly – within 10 to 30 minutes – but there can be no traffic on the freshly sprayed sections of the road until it is cured. “We’re asking for patience from the public,” said Senior Project Engineer Rachel Dietzman. “Depending on the temperature and humidity, some vehicles in driveways and at intersections may have to wait up to half an hour before entering a newly fog sealed road.”

County crew members will handle traffic control along the routes as they are sealed and traffic is restricted to one lane while the sealant dries. This year’s road chip sealing project is just wrapping up on Orcas, after several delays caused by rain.

Centerlines will be painted back on the roads in late July or early August.