Hailey
The City of Emporia, Kansas, is working hard to keep its roads in good shape. As part of the Street Preservation Project, the city has completed chip sealing on several streets and is now preparing for the next step — fog sealing.
These improvements will help make roads smoother, safer, and last longer. Here’s a simple breakdown of what’s happening, where it’s happening, and what residents should expect.
What Is the Street Preservation Project?
Emporia’s Street Preservation Project is a yearly effort to maintain and extend the life of roads without completely rebuilding them. This project includes three steps:
- Chip Sealing – adding a layer of crushed stone and asphalt
- Sweeping – cleaning the loose stones left after sealing
- Fog Sealing – spraying a light layer of oil to lock everything in
This is different from Street Rehabilitation or Concrete Street Repair, which involve heavier construction. The preservation work is faster and less expensive but still very important.
Where Is the Work Happening?
This year’s preservation work includes 13 street segments, mostly in eastern Emporia. Here’s the full list of streets where the city has already completed chip sealing and will now begin sweeping and fog sealing:
- Clark Street – 600 block
- Corinth Street – 600 block
- Goura Place
- Dorset Drive – from 6th Avenue to the dead end
- Homewood Street – 300–400 blocks & Highway 50 to the cul-de-sac
- Donelson Drive
- East 7th Avenue – 1600 block
- East 9th Avenue – from Whildin Street to Sunrise Drive
- East 10th Avenue – from Whildin Street to Weaver Street
- Sunrise Drive – 700–1000 blocks
- Waverly Way – 700–900 blocks
- Harcourt Drive – 1000 block
If you live or drive in these areas, you may notice crews working or some short-term road closures.
What Is Fog Sealing and Why Is It Important?
Fog sealing is the final step in the preservation process. It’s a thin layer of asphalt oil sprayed over the surface to:
- Lock down loose stones
- Seal small cracks
- Protect the road from sun and water damage
- Extend the life of the street by several years
Without fog sealing, chip-sealed roads can wear out more quickly or develop cracks sooner. That’s why this step is so important to keeping Emporia’s roads in top condition.
What’s the Schedule for This Week?
- Chip Sealing: Completed Friday
- Sweeping: Scheduled for Monday and possibly Tuesday, depending on how quickly the work gets done
- Fog Sealing: Will begin shortly after sweeping is completed
The city asks residents to be patient and drive carefully through construction zones. You might see large street sweepers, trucks, and work crews. Parking might also be restricted on certain streets temporarily.
How Does This Differ From Other Road Projects?
The Street Preservation Project is just one of several roadway improvement plans in Emporia. Others include:
- Street Rehabilitation – full road rebuilding
- Concrete Street Repair – fixing cracked or broken concrete panels
These other projects are more expensive and time-consuming. Preservation work is done more frequently and helps avoid major repairs down the road.
Why Is This Work Necessary?
Over time, roads get damaged from:
- Heavy traffic
- Water and snow
- Freezing and thawing
- Sunlight and temperature changes
If the city doesn’t maintain roads regularly, small issues like cracks and potholes can become big problems. That’s why preservation work is a smart investment — it keeps roads safe and saves money long-term.
What Can Residents Expect?
- Short delays or detours in affected areas
- Noise from machinery
- Temporary loose gravel before fog sealing
- Possible parking restrictions on certain blocks
It’s a good idea to check the city website or social media for updates on the daily schedule. Crews usually work during daylight hours to finish quickly.
Emporia’s ongoing street preservation project shows the city’s commitment to maintaining quality infrastructure. While short-term disruptions may cause a bit of inconvenience, the long-term benefits include safer, smoother roads for everyone.
As sweeping finishes and fog sealing begins, residents should remain alert and cooperative to help make this process go smoothly. Keeping roads in great shape not only improves safety but also makes Emporia a better place to live and drive.