Heads up, drivers in St. Clair and Benton Counties—the Missouri Department of Transportation has announced a bunch of pavement sealing work, kicking off this week. So, expect to slow down for some one-lane traffic, complete with flaggers and pilot cars guiding the way. This essential upkeep involves a mix of rock and oil being sealed onto two state routes, in an effort to keep them in tip-top shape for a longer time.
This roadwork isn't going to be a blink-and-miss-it affair, stretching for miles on end. Over in St. Clair County, MoDOT reports Route A will get the seal coat treatment from Missouri Route 52 near Appleton City, east approximately 17 miles to Missouri Route 13 by Lowry City. Meanwhile, Benton County's Route MM will see crews working from Missouri Route 83 northeast for about six miles right up to the end of state maintenance near Warsaw. If you're planning to drive these stretches, be ready to follow a pilot vehicle through the work zones or calmly wait your turn if you're hopping in from a side road.
Signage and digital message boards aren't going to let you miss the fact that there's work ahead. They're gonna be up and shining to warn you about the slower traffic and construction activities. But keep in mind, things like moody weather or last-minute scheduling hiccups might cause shifts in the work schedule, so flexibility is key.
Now, don't go thinking a seal coat is some sort of poor stand-in for an asphalt overlay—it's not. It's just a more cost-effective method to stop roads from going to pieces. The folks at MoDOT are keen to point out that these treatments are meant to "extend its life" of the roads by preventing deterioration, which seems like a smart move to save some cash and keep those routes running smooth for longer.
