EVERETT – As part of its annual road maintenance and preservation program, Snohomish County Public Works plans to resurface approximately 76 miles of roads in Snohomish County this year.
“Being proactive in maintenance and preservation of county roads saves tax dollars by reducing the chances of more expensive repairs,” Engineer and Public Works Deputy Director Doug McCormick said in a press release.
In 2025, the county plans to pave about 7 miles of roads and pre-level and chip seal about 69 miles of roads, McCormick said.
Pre-level work means crews will patch potholes, improve uneven or failing pavement sections, repair subgrade and drainage issues and trim vegetation. Chip sealing extends the life of the road surface for an additional seven to 10 years and costs about one-third as much as an asphalt overlay, the press release said.
This year’s paving work takes place between May and September and will impact several locations across the county. One paving project is expected to impact the most drivers:
Construction is expected to start in late June on 140th Street Northwest and Northeast, from 63rd Drive Northwest to 3rd Avenue Northeast. Drivers should be prepared for single-lane closures along the 4-mile corridor on the northern boundary of the Tulalip Tribes Reservation through the summer. The county recommends choosing alternate routes to avoid delays.
A well-maintained paved road has a serviceable life of 15-30 years depending upon location, traffic volumes, weather, and truck or heavy vehicle usage, according to Snohomish County Public Works. The work will be completed by paving contractors and county crews.
Pre-leveling work for chip sealing began in April. Chip sealing work will begin in July and is expected to be completed by the end of September. In areas where chip sealing has recently been completed, expect a temporary speed limit of 20 miles per hour.
Observing this temporary speed limit allows the chips to bind to the asphalt and minimizes the likelihood of loose, flying chips causing damage to a vehicle’s body or windshield, the county said. Crews will return approximately within a week to sweep up any loose chips, adjust utilities, land survey monuments and replace pavement striping if required.
Both chip seal and paving are weather-dependent work. All preliminary schedules are subject to change.
Michael Henneke: 425-339-3431; michael.henneke@heraldnet.com; X: @ihenpecked.
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