Road Sealing Season Set To Begin In Marin County

SAN RAFAEL, CA — With warmer weather in the forecast and summer's formal arrival near, the Marin County Department of Public Works is gearing up to start preventative maintenance projects across 22 miles of roads in unincorporated areas.

The first pavement sealing project is scheduled to begin later this month over 11 miles in Country Club and Bayside Acres, along with a stretch of Lucas Valley Road.

The second project still awaits a contractor, but the county expects work will start sometime in August. That half will entail 11 miles of roadway in Inverness, Strawberry and Woodacre, along with a stretch of Point Reyes Petaluma Road.

"The type of pavement preservation work in the second project will utilize various rubber-based pavement preservation treatments made from recycled tires," the DPW said Tuesday. "The project is expected to prevent 17,800 tires from entering landfills, and is similar to the project DPW completed in 2021.

Both projects will largely take place on weekdays between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., with some traffic controls required. Lane closures and small delays will be possible at times. Drivers will see signage in place before the work zones and residents will be notified of the work in advance.

Officials said the two projects will help preserve more than 5 percent of the roads under the county's jurisdiction, with a price tag just north of $2 million. Funding is covered by the Road and Bridge Rehabilitation Fund and Senate Bill 1.

"Relative to major rehabilitation or reconstruction, there are various preservation treatments that can be applied to a road segment quickly and for a fraction of the cost, making them an inherently sustainable activity and a financially responsible option," the DPW said. "Compared to major rehabilitation activities, pavement preservation requires significantly less energy and mined materials, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions over time."