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Spokane Valley expands road-preservation pilot with chip-seal and slurry applications
Summary
City engineers reported multi-year pilot results for chip seal and slurry surface treatments, citing average unit costs of roughly $7–$10 per cubic yard, life-extension estimates of 5–10 years, and plans to coordinate chip-seal runs with Spokane County to increase continuity across jurisdictional boundaries.
Engineering Manager Adam Jackson summarized the city’s surface-treatment pilot projects that used combinations of chip seal and slurry seal to extend pavement life for local streets.
Jackson described the pilot neighborhoods and the relative performance of products: chip seal followed by a slurry layer performed best on streets in fair to good condition, while slurry-only applications reflected cracks more visibly. He said the 2023 pilot averaged about $7 per yard and that 2024 pricing pushed closer to $10 per yard; by contrast, repaving or 2-inch grind-and-inlay options run multiples higher. Jackson said the goal is to stretch limited street-fund dollars by preserving good pavement before it fails, explaining: "The idea is to come in and inject that street with a shot in the arm to boost the curve back up to good and ride that wave for another 5 or 10 years."
Council discussed contractor performance variability, chip size choices for urban vs. rural contexts and the importance of crack sealing. City staff said they will continue coordination with Spokane County and use a mix of delivery options—including unit-rate contracts and interlocal cooperation—to maximize efficiency.
What happens next: Staff will coordinate 2026 chip-seal runs with county operations on shared corridors and present program funding in upcoming budget workshops.
