Yellowstone National Park officials announced today that a chip seal project has been scheduled for a 19-mile section of road between Biscuit Basin and West Thumb. This project will also include chip sealing the one-way entrances in and out of the Old Faithful area.

The chip sealing is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, July 8 and continue through Thursday, July 24 from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm each day. Crews will work Mondays through Thursdays. Visitors may experience up to 30 minute delays on those days. Crews will also be sweeping each section from 5:00 am - 8:00 am each morning that chip sealing is occurring; this work should not delay traffic.

Chip sealing roads is a process of placing a layer of oil and a layer of chips or aggregate and then rolling it. Chip sealing is standard procedure once a new roadway has cured for two to three years, and is also used to provide a wear surface on older roads until road reconstruction can be accomplished.

The chip sealing process must be done during warm weather, and adverse weather (rain or colder temperatures) could delay the chip sealing and require rescheduling. Park visitors are encouraged to call park headquarters at: 307-344-7381 for current information on road projects and closures or delays.