Motorists should expect temporary street closures later this week as the City of Mount Carmel completes its annual street maintenance program.
During Monday afternoon's City Council meeting, Mike Hannah reported that city crews completed this year's chip seal program last Friday and are now sweeping loose rock from the treated streets.
Hannah said crews will begin applying a fog seal on Thursday, weather permitting. The process is expected to take one day, although a second day has been set aside if needed. Streets receiving the fog seal will be closed for several hours to allow the surface to dry properly.
City Engineer Dave Dallas urged residents whose streets were chip sealed last week to avoid parking on the street Thursday while the fog seal is being applied. Work is scheduled to begin around 7:30 a.m., with closures lasting several hours depending on weather conditions, including temperature, humidity and wind. Officials said sunshine and a light breeze should help speed the drying process.
During Monday afternoon's meeting of the Wabash County Commissioners, County Highway Engineer Dustin Bunting reported that recent oil and chip work on Maud Road and Friendsville Avenue went smoothly.
Bunting said the next phase of the project is scheduled for Thursday, when crews will sweep Friendsville Avenue from Wabash Valley College to Friendsville before applying a fog seal to help protect and preserve the new road surface. He said the work is expected to be completed quickly.
Bunting also told commissioners that all county roads with pavement striping are scheduled to be restriped later this year. That work will include Friendsville Avenue, including the section that recently received the oil and chip treatment.
The projects are part of the county highway department's ongoing summer road maintenance program.