On Jun 25, 1:41*pm, "l, not -l" > wrote:
> On 25-Jun-2010, Kate Connally > wrote:
>
> > Sound like something on the menu at your local
> > pub?
>
> > That's what comes to my mind every time I see these
> > signs along the roads here in the Pittsburgh countryside.
> > Maybe pita chips and seasoned olive oil?
>
> > No, it's a weird local (as far as I know) phenomenon
> > where in the summer many of the back roads sport these
> > signs. *It means the county (or whoever is in charge of
> > these roads) is going to put gravel chips and oil on the
> > roads. *I guess it's supposed to do something to keep
> > them in good repair, but I've always found it odd.
>
> The process is called sealcoating and is used to extend the life of asphalt
> pavement. *The idea is to fill cracks and voids with a tar-like substance
> and small gravel. *In climates subject to freezing, one of the major
> destroyers of pavement is ice. * Water fills cracks in the asphalt paving,
> then expands as it freezes make the crack bigger and pushing up the
> surrounding pavement; freeze/thaw cycles breakdown the paving until potholes
> form and traffic hitting the hole edges does even more damage.
>
> Sealcoating fills the cracks with aslphalt and gravel, reducing or
> eliminating the damage of freeze/thaw cycles. * If it is being done in
> places not subject to freeze/thaw, I have no idea why they would do it.
>
> --
> Change Cujo to Juno in email address.

==
It is also great for pitting your windshield and often making nice
"stars" in them as well. After a seal-coating, I met a car while my
window was open...a nice sharp pointed rock chip ricocheted around the
cab of my truck but fortunately missed me. The bonding asphalt was too
light and not tacky enough in my estimation.
==