Applying a chip seal is a two-step process that includes applying an asphalt emulsion before applying a layer of small, crushed rocks or "chips" to an existing pavement surface. While this is a process that is typically used on rural roads or in smaller communities, it can be used effectively in some areas in larger communities. City staff have researched various pavement preservation products via site visits of current and previously treated roadways in other municipalities and have concluded that this system is an effective method to extend the useful life of our paved roads in limited quantities and specific areas. It is significantly cheaper than resurfacing, though not as long-lasting.

According to Donelson Construction Company, the City’s vendor for this type of slurry seal pavement preservation, the PressurePave system is one of the most versatile tools in the pavement preservation industry. Able to preserve pavements many would consider to be candidates for mill and overlay, this hybrid system pressure injects a crack sealant into the pavement while simultaneously applying a thin asphalt overlay. This system is more efficient and cost-effective than many other pavement preservation options. With a price that can be significantly less than the cost of a mill and asphalt overlay, and a 10+ year average surface life, the life cycle cost is ideal for public and private agencies wishing to cut costs or double the number of roadways able to be treated. Click here for more information about PressurePave pavement preservation from the City’s vendor, Donelson Construction Company.

• Improves durability and flexibility
• Slows the aging process
• Helps prevent raveling, stripping, and fatigue cracking
• Restores the cohesive ability of the asphalt cement to retain aggregate
• Seals the surface in-depth
• Can extend pavement life up to 40 percent

Click here for more information about Reclamite pavement preservation from the City’s vendor, Corrective Asphalt Materials.

Prior to widespread utilization of pavement preservation in the City, staff researched pavement preservation products and performed field testing to compare Reclamite and a promising competitor.  The field test locations are still monitored periodically by staff. This research and the test location results were used to determine that Reclamite is one of staff’s recommended pavement preservation products.

More recently, City staff researched additional pavement preservation products via site visits of current and previously treated roadways in other municipalities and has concluded that PressurePave pavement preservation and Chip Seal pavement preservation are two additional effective methods for extending the useful life of our paved roads in limited quantities and specific areas.

Staff has found that pavement preservation protects the City’s investment in roadwork by using the “keep your good roads good” strategy. Using pavement preservation helps limited road funding dollars go much further and reduces the annualized cost of paving and/or resurfacing.

City staff or contractors will install temporary “No Parking” signs the week of the work on each street. City staff or contractors will also distribute notices to each property that provides dates and additional information prior to the start of the work on each street.

Typically, contractors will clean/sweep the pavement prior to starting chip seal operations. Once the pavement has been cleaned, the contractor will coat the roadway with a thin layer of asphalt emulsion, followed by a layer of crushed stone and aggregate. This aggregate will then be compacted into the emulsion by means of a rubber tire roller to ensure that the aggregate sets into and covers the asphalt. The roadway is typically swept again after several days to remove excess aggregate that did not adhere to the asphalt. Some of the areas in this project will also get a second layer of asphalt and aggregate applied in the same manner, as well as a third lighter layer of asphalt emulsion known as a fog seal. This method of pavement preservation is typically reapplied after 3-5 years depending on the wearing pattern of traffic on the surface.

City staff or contractors will install temporary “No Parking” signs the week of the work on each street. City staff or contractors will distribute notices to each property that provides dates and additional information prior to the start of the work on each street.

While application is occurring, please expect delays. There will be an orange traffic cone placed at the edge of each driveway the day before construction indicating that contractors will be working on that street the next day. The cone will be moved to the center of each driveway indicating fresh oil is present. The material usually takes an hour to cure before people can drive on them. The cones are sometimes left longer in a driveway and intersection to control traffic and to keep cars from turning around in driveways and the roadway.

Donelson Construction Company will provide traffic coordinators throughout the area to assist with traffic and to inform residents where it is safe to drive and to park. PLEASE stop and ask them for assistance.

Please make sure all lawn irrigation systems are turned off, as water will damage fresh material. Please notify any lawn care, maid services, remodeling contractors, etc., working on your property of the work being done. If you have a basketball hoop that is in the street or overhangs the curb line, please pull it back to ensure it is not damaged.

Please make sure you have all vehicles out of the roadway. City staff or contractors will attempt to contact the owners of vehicles remaining on the roadway during scheduled construction, but they will be towed if the owner cannot be contacted. We ask that there be no parking on the roadway overnight after the road has been completed to allow the material to fully cure.

Please help us out as you enter and leave your driveway by not sitting still on the new material as you turn your steering wheel. Even though the material has cured enough to drive on, it needs to cure more before tires can be turned or twisted on top of the material. This may damage the new material and will leave permanent marks. If you do need to turn the steering wheel while on top of the material, such as when reversing out of a driveway, make sure your vehicle is in motion first before turning the steering wheel.

Staff install temporary “No Parking” signs the week of the work on each street. Parking restrictions will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the dates specified on each sign. Once the pavement preservation is installed, driveway access on each street will be restricted for up to 30 minutes, unless there is an emergency.

Where Reclamite is applied, there may be aggregate that sticks to the tires and heard hitting the wheel wells of the car. This will last a few weeks until the material is fully cured.

Beginning May 1, 2019, the Local Motor Fuel Tax is an eight cent ($0.08) per gallon tax on the retail sale of Local Motor Fuel [up from four cents ($0.04) previously].

The tax applies to all volatile and inflammable liquids produced, blended, or compounded for the purposes of, or which are suitable or practicable for, operating motor vehicles.

Examples include any gasoline, gasohol, diesel, specialty fuel or other combustible gas.

For further guidance, refer to City Municipal Code, Chapter 39, Article XVIII.

The Local Motor Fuel tax is in addition to the State’s motor fuel tax.

As such, the City's eight cents ($0.08) per gallon Local Motor Fuel tax is levied directly by the City of Bloomington and should be submitted directly each month to the City.

It is the responsibility of any business owner who thinks they may be subject to this tax to implement and remit this tax to the City.

Although the Local Motor Fuel Tax can be passed on to patrons, the business owner is liable for collecting and submitting this tax to the City. Each Business will need to determine the best mechanism for charging and collecting this tax.

To register, use the Local Motor Fuel Tax Registration Form.

Note: The City retains the right to audit the books of any business subject to this tax as outlined in the municipal code.

No. Local Motor Fuel Taxes must be submitted separately from any other tax you may be liable for.

You must use the Local Motor Fuel Tax Remittance Form.

Not at this time. Instead, forms can be downloaded from our website and filled out online where tax can be calculated automatically and printed out.

Not at this time. Instead, either:

1. Mail your form along with a check, or
2. Bring in your form to the Finance Department along with cash or a check.

The Local Motor Fuel Tax must be remitted by the 25th day of the month following the month of collection.

1. If you remit by mail, it must be postmarked by the 25th
2. If you bring in your form to City Hall, we must receive it on the 25th

For example, Local Motor Fuel Taxes collected in the month of August must be remitted on or before the 25th of September.

If taxes are remitted after the 25th of the month:

1. A 5% late payment penalty fee is applied, AND
2. A 2% interest charge for each month payment is not received.

1. Complete the monthly Local Motor Fuel Tax Remittance Form
2. Complete as needed the monthly Multi-location Detail Form
3. Attach support documents [State Forms ST-1, ST-2]
4. Sign the Form
5. Write a check
6. Mail or drop off all documents by the 25th of the month,

1. Identify whether your business is liable to collect and remit Local Motor Fuel Taxes.
2. Register your business with the Finance Department.
3. Collect and remit taxes to the City’s Finance Department.