Ottawa County roads to be chip-sealed to extend life expectancy
The Ottawa County Road Commission is set to launch its 2026 seal coat program on Monday, June 15, targeting more than 58 miles of local roads.
OTTAWA COUNTY — The Ottawa County Road Commission is set to launch its 2026 seal coat program on Monday, June 15, targeting more than 58 miles of local roads.
The $2.3 million infrastructure investment, funded entirely by the Michigan Transportation Fund, will focus heavily on resurfacing streets across Blendon, Georgetown and Jamestown townships. Operations are scheduled to debut in the southeastern portion of Blendon Township, with the entire project tentatively expected to wrap up by early July.
Road officials emphasize that the schedule remains highly weather-dependent and subject to change.
How chip sealing works
Although a chip seal does not structurally strengthen existing pavement, it acts as a critical, cost-effective protective coating that extends road life, improves drivability and lowers long-term maintenance costs.
According to the OCRC, the treatment is a meticulous multi-stage process:
- Preparation and oil application: After crews patch cracked or loose areas, a thin layer of liquid asphalt emulsion or tack oil is sprayed onto the road.
- Aggregate spreading: A specialized truck immediately follows to distribute a layer of small aggregate stones (chips) over the fresh oil.
- Compaction: Heavy rollers make multiple passes to compact the aggregate firmly into the binder.
- Traffic impact: Roads are typically opened to slow-moving traffic immediately after rolling, with a final sweeping occurring shortly after.
Drivers should expect a secondary disruption a few weeks later. The OCRC will return to the treated areas to apply a "fog seal" — a final topcoat that locks the aggregate in place and prevents loose stones.
Resources for residents
The OCRC has published a complete list of targeted roads on its official website. Because daily schedules are fluid, residents are encouraged to monitor live updates via the OCRC’s dedicated chip seal webpage and Facebook page.
For those interested in a deeper look at the engineering behind the project, the commission has also made a Chip Seal Process Flyer and an Educational Video.
— Submitted by the Ottawa County Road Commission. To submit a news tip, email newsroom@ottawanewsnetwork.org.
