Montrose road crews will begin chip sealing and slurry sealing streets on June 23, with closures, one-lane traffic, parking restrictions, and early trash pickup expected during the three-week project.
Drivers in Montrose should prepare for several weeks of road work as contractors begin chip sealing and slurry sealing streets across the city.
Work is scheduled to begin Tuesday, June 23, 2026, and is expected to last about three weeks, depending on weather or other delays. Chip sealing will happen first, followed by slurry sealing. Slurry sealing is tentatively scheduled to begin Monday, July 6, with more detailed location and schedule information expected from the city.
The project is part of the City of Montrose’s ongoing street maintenance program.
Contractors will begin work each day at 7 a.m.
Roads scheduled for slurry sealing may be closed for several hours while the surface cures. If “No Parking” signs are posted on a street, residents should be ready for that road to close once work begins.
Slurry seal typically takes 4 to 5 hours to cure. During that time, vehicles are not allowed to drive on the freshly sealed surface.
Residential streets will be closed to all traffic during the curing period.
Some larger roads will remain open to one-lane traffic, with flaggers or a pilot car guiding vehicles through the work zone. These roads include:
Drivers should expect delays in these areas and use alternate routes when possible.
Residents who live on streets scheduled for slurry sealing should plan ahead.
Anyone who needs to leave home after 7 a.m. should move their vehicle to a nearby street without “No Parking” signs before work begins. Once the slurry seal is placed, vehicles will not be able to leave until the surface has cured.
If a road is not completed on its scheduled day, the city says it will be added to the following day’s work list whenever possible.
Trash and recycling schedules will not change during the project.
However, residents whose collection day overlaps with road work should place bins out no later than 6 a.m. The city says those areas will be collected first so road work can move forward.
Chip seal is a surface treatment that uses liquid asphalt covered with aggregate. Once the aggregate is rolled into the asphalt, traffic can usually return to the road within a few minutes.
Slurry seal is different. It uses a mixture of small aggregate suspended in an oil and water emulsion. As it cures, it creates a smooth black protective layer over the asphalt.
Slurry seal is typically used on roads that are still in good condition. The goal is to extend the life of the pavement and avoid more expensive repairs later.
On higher-traffic roads or streets with more wear, chip seal and slurry seal may both be used.
Questions about the project can be directed to Civil Engineer Ryan Cushenan at 970-240-1485 or rcushenan@ci.montrose.co.us.
The city will also post routine project updates at MoveMo.CO.
Montrose drivers should expect changing closures, parking restrictions, and delays from Tuesday, June 23, through mid-July.
Residents on affected streets should watch for posted signs, move vehicles before 7 a.m. when needed, and place trash and recycling bins out by 6 a.m. if collection falls on the same day as road work.
