Whatcom County Public Works is in the middle of its 2026 chip seal season, and drivers on rural county roads should expect delays through Thursday, July 16. The program resurfaces roads by applying a layer of liquid asphalt and then embedding aggregate chips into the surface, extending pavement life at a fraction of the cost of full repaving.
Roads Being Sealed This Week
The following Whatcom County roads are scheduled for chip seal work during the week of Monday, July 13, through Thursday, July 16: Depot Road, Pangborn Road, Bloom Road, Haveman Road, Line Road, Clay Road, Hammer Road, Southwell Road, Holmquist Road, Trapline Road (north of SR 546), and Van Buren Road (north of SR 546).
Crews will be working between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. each day. Drivers who need to use any of these roads during those hours should plan on travel delays and use alternate routes whenever possible. Roads are typically passable but may be restricted to single-lane or slow-speed travel while crews are actively working. Freshly chipped surfaces can also be slippery and produce loose gravel, so reduced speeds are strongly recommended even after crews have left for the day.
How to Track Upcoming Road Work
Whatcom County updates its County Travel Planner each week to reflect which roads are scheduled for chip seal. The interactive map is available on the Whatcom County website and shows current and upcoming work locations so drivers can plan ahead. You can also sign up for email or text alerts when roads in your area are scheduled for work, which is especially useful for residents along rural corridors that are affected annually.
Chip seal is one of the most cost-effective ways to preserve county roads. Whatcom County Public Works typically treats dozens of miles of road surface each summer before the rainy season sets in. The treatment fills small cracks, adds a new wear surface, and can add years of service life to a road that would otherwise require full reconstruction at far greater expense to taxpayers.
What to Expect on a Chip Sealed Road
If you encounter a chip seal operation in progress, crews will direct traffic and may stop vehicles temporarily. Drivers should expect loose gravel on the road surface for several days after sealing is complete, which is normal. County crews typically sweep the excess aggregate after the surface has set. Windshield damage from loose chips is possible, so drivers are advised to maintain extra following distance on recently treated roads and reduce speeds below posted limits when loose aggregate is visible.
Residents who live on roads scheduled for chip seal may also notice temporary loss of access to driveways for short periods while crews pass. Whatcom County typically notifies residents along affected roads through posted signs in advance of work dates.
The chip seal schedule changes week to week throughout the summer. For the most current list of roads, check the Whatcom County Public Works page or sign up for road work alerts through the county notification system. Drivers with questions about road work can contact Whatcom County Public Works directly. For related road news in the area, a recent look at infrastructure planning in the county offers useful context on how the county manages long-term capital investments.
