The Virginia Department of Transportation is hard at work in providing new surface treatments to area roads and will continue until temperatures turn colder. Hanover County residents can track the progress of area road improvement projects by visiting http://www.virginiadot.org/info/pavement_treatment_surface_treatment.asp and typing “Hanover County” in the search bar.

Most of the road resurfacing in Hanover is done using one of the following methods:

• Modified surface treatment – Heated liquid asphalt and gravel are covered with a fine grade of stone to reduce the likelihood of gravel being thrown from under car tires. The road is typically passable shortly after the last application of gravel.

• Multi-layer (or cape seal) – A think film of heated liquid asphalt is sprayed onto the road surface followed by a layer of fine gravel. A roller then compacts the gravel so it adheres to the asphalt. It takes one to two weeks for any loose gravel to work its way into the pavement. After the new road surface has cured, excess gravel is swept away and a slurry seal is applied. Drivers can use the road soon after the gravel has been applied, however, the road will need several hours to harden once the slurry seal in place.

• Slurry seal – A type of pavement sealant that consists of liquid asphalt, cement, lime, fine aggregates and water. It is applied as a thin layer over the existing surface. Drivers are shifted to other travel lanes or encouraged to use an alternate route for several hours in order to give the surface time to harden.

• Latex modified – Although similar to slurry seal, latex is more durable and typically used on higher volume routes.
• Plant mix (asphalt/blacktop) – This treatment is applied as a hot material in layers and is then compacted. Drivers are shifted to other travel lanes or alternate routes for several hours to allow the surface to cool.

This link provides more information about road resurfacing and repaving.

Here's a video on chip seal surface treatment.

Here's a video on slurry seal.

For more information about road resurfacing and repaving in Hanover County, contact the Virginia Department of Transportation at 1-800-367-7623 or the Department of Public Works at 804-365-6181.