Every summer Public Works performs annual road surface treatments. The county uses several different methods to preserve roads and to protect the public’s investment in its transportation infrastructure.
This road work does disrupt drivers and, in some cases, requires roads to be temporarily closed.
When a street is closed for a surface treatment, construction workers will allow police cars, fire engines and ambulances responding to emergencies to drive through the work zone.
Have questions about the door hanger you received? Click on our FAQ’s to find out more.
2022 Preservation Treatment Locations (postponed to 2023)
Clark County Public Works is postponing the 2022 Summer Road Preservation treatments to 2023. Clark County Public Works is committed to making sure roads are safe for residents and visitors. Postponement of this project will not cause safety hazards on neighborhood roads.
Public Works will notify neighborhoods affected by the 2023 Summer Road Preservation project prior to construction. Affected neighbors will receive a Public Works “Heads Up” notice in the mail.
July 2022 Heads Up - postponement notice (PDF)
In some cases, federal regulations require Clark County to build or upgrade sidewalk curb ramps so they are accessible to wheelchair users and other people with disabilities.
Sidewalk curb ramps and the Americans with Disabilities Act (PDF)
Slurry Seal
This surface treatment is applied to access and subdivision roads in urban areas to prevent moisture from infiltrating a road's subgrade.
These roads are structurally sound and do not need reinforcement.
Emulsified oil and finely crushed aggregate are premixed on a truck and then applied to the road surface.
This treatment requires closing the road for one day to allow curing before the road can reopen to traffic.
Door hangers will be used to alert residents before work begins on their street. Residents should watch for a door hanger providing seven days notice, followed by a second door hanger 24-48 hours before application.
Please note that some maps also show rubberized asphalt cape seals that will be done the same area. Public Works is providing this extra information so residents can be aware of related work being done in their area.
Cape Seal
The treatment consists of two steps. In the first step, an asphalt rubber binder, consisting of paving asphalt, oil and crumb rubber from ground-up used tires and natural rubber, is applied to the road, followed by a layer of crushed rock. The rock, which is pre-coated with an asphalt binder, is pressed into the asphalt-oil-rubber mix using rollers.
The second step, typically done 1-2 weeks later, is applying a slurry seal to further preserve the surface. This is a one-day process that requires closing the road.
Door hangers will be used to alert residents before work begins on their street. Residents should watch for a door hanger providing seven days notice, followed by a second door hanger 24-48 hours before application.
Please note that some maps also show slurry seals that will be done the same area. Public Works is providing this extra information so residents can be aware of related work being done in their area.
Chip Seal
Chip seal is used to help seal the surface and prevent moisture from damaging roads. Each area is completed within 1 - 3 days.
Roads will not be closed, but you may experience temporary traffic delays. Watch for loose gravel and fresh oil signs and please drive slowly through work zones.
Micro Seal
Micro seal is similar to a slurry seal, only that it uses larger pieces of rock. Cement also can be added to the mixture. A micro seal dries faster than a slurry seal and is used on multilane roads, which allows traffic to pass on one lane while the other is being treated.
To further ease traffic disruptions, sand can be shoveled onto intersections so vehicles can drive over the treated surface only minutes after it has been applied.
More information
Public Works Customer Service
Clark County Public Works
564.397.2446
pubwks.cservice@clark.wa.gov