San Juan County Public Works Operations Manager Russ Harvey said today that “fog sealing,” the last phase of this year’s chip sealing program on San Juan and Lopez Islands, should be completed by the end of next week. The two words that always follow such as statement are, of course: “weather permitting.”

Harvey noted today that while traffic is being inconvenienced while the sealant is being sprayed, generally with one lane of traffic closed at a time, cyclists are having a tougher time. The material stays sticky for about 12 hours after it’s applied and the effect is felt more acutely by cyclists, who have a more intimate relationship with the roadway than the drivers of cars and trucks.

The areas where the road work is being done are heavily signed and flaggers and other workers in bright orange vests are helping with traffic control. A map showing the where and when fog sealing will take place is kept current on the County web site here.

Fog sealing is a last application of sealant after the initial layers of rock and sealant are laid down and allowed to cure. The final layer provides a smoother surface, makes road striping stand out more and reduces the problem of loose rock being kicked up by automobiles.

The final day of the sealing project is scheduled for completion on Thursday July 22.