Whatcom County Public Works crews are continuing chip seal work on a set of rural roads in northern Whatcom County this week, with lane delays and detours expected Monday through Thursday. Drivers on routes near Lynden, Nooksack, and surrounding areas should plan for slowdowns between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily, weather permitting.
Which Roads Are Scheduled for Chip Seal
For the week of Monday, July 27 through Thursday, July 30, 2026, the following roads are on the chip seal schedule: Garrison Road north of SR-9, Lindsay Road west of SR-9, Nooksack Road, Northwood Road south of Lynden city limits, Slotemaker Road, Stickney Island Road, Timon Road, and Trapline Road south of SR-546. Most of these routes run through agricultural and semi-rural areas in the northern part of the county, connecting smaller communities to state highway corridors.
Chip sealing is a road surface treatment that applies a layer of liquid asphalt followed by an aggregate of small gravel chips. The chips are then rolled into the asphalt to create a new wearing surface. It is one of the most cost-effective ways to extend the life of a paved road, and Whatcom County Public Works uses the process each summer on rural roads throughout the county before the rainy season sets in.
Drivers who hit a freshly chip-sealed road too soon can kick up loose gravel, which can crack windshields and damage vehicles. Crews typically post warning signs and may flag traffic through the work zone to keep speeds low. Residents living on chip-sealed roads are advised to watch for loose gravel in the days immediately after treatment and to drive slowly until the chips bond fully to the surface.
When to Expect Delays
Travel delays are expected between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. each day the work is active. The schedule is weather-dependent, meaning that if rain or heavy cloud cover prevents the asphalt from setting properly, work may be postponed to the following day. Whatcom County notes that the road list is "subject to change," so drivers heading toward any of the listed roads should check for the most current information before committing to a route.
The county updates its County Travel Planner each week with roads scheduled for chip seal work, giving residents a way to plan ahead. The travel planner tool is accessible online and is updated at the start of each work week with the specific road list for that period.
Residents can also sign up for direct email and text alerts about upcoming road work through the county's notification system. The sign-up link is available on the Whatcom County Public Works website and allows residents to choose which types of road updates they receive, so they can stay informed about work affecting their specific commute routes without tracking the full county-wide schedule manually.
Why Chip Sealing Matters for County Roads
Whatcom County maintains an extensive network of rural roads, many of which see heavy agricultural and freight traffic during the summer harvest season. Chip sealing in July and August takes advantage of warm, dry conditions that allow the asphalt to cure properly. Applying the treatment before fall rains arrive helps prevent water infiltration, which is a leading cause of pavement failure on rural roads.
The roads on this week's list serve communities and farms between Lynden, Everson, and Nooksack. Trapline Road south of SR-546 and Stickney Island Road, for instance, run through flat valley farmland where irrigation and agricultural equipment make road surfaces wear more quickly than on lightly traveled suburban streets. Keeping these roads in good condition supports not just commuters but also the agricultural economy that defines much of northern Whatcom County.
Residents who use these routes regularly are encouraged to use alternate roads whenever possible during the 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. work window, and to drive at reduced speeds even after crews have left for the day. Loose chips can remain on the surface for 24 to 48 hours after treatment. For the latest on where crews are working on any given day, the county travel planner and the Whatcom County website are the most reliable sources. You can also read about last week's chip seal road list for context on how this multi-week project has been progressing.
