ITS SLURRY SEAL TIME! Protecting Our Neighborhood Streets This Summer
Published on July 13, 2026
Later this month, the Public Works Department will apply a slurry seal to select neighborhood streets. This preventative maintenance helps extend pavement life, reduces long-term repair costs, and keeps our neighborhoods moving.
WHY WE SLURRY SEAL
A slurry seal is a cost-effective treatment that adds a protective layer to the road. It’s made from liquid asphalt mixed with fine rock and sand. When applied, it helps seal the pavement from sunlight, water, and everyday wear, helping extend the road’s lifespan by five to ten years.
Treating neighborhood roads early, when they’re still in good condition, allows us to preserve more streets at a much lower cost, saving your taxpayer dollars.
HOW STREETS ARE SELECTED
Roads are chosen based on:
- The pavement’s age
- On‑site evaluation by Public Works staff
- Pavement Condition Index (PCI) data
- Suitability for preventative treatment
Slurry seal is typically applied to neighborhood streets that are still in good structural condition but need surface protection. This helps us maintain as many streets as possible before they reach the point of needing bigger (and more expensive) repairs.
WHY NOW?
Slurry seal needs warm, dry weather to cure correctly. With schools out and school buses not driving through neighborhoods, summer is the best time to complete this work.
We understand that street closures can be inconvenient, even when they last only a few hours. Thank you in advance for your patience and cooperation as we work to keep our neighborhood streets safe and well maintained.
Curious which streets are included this year? Review the full project description on our website.
WHAT TO EXPECT ON SLURRY SEAL DAY
Is your neighborhood scheduled for slurry seal? Here’s what you need to know:
- Work hours: Crews will begin work at 7 a.m. and finish by 5 p.m. the same day.
- Parking: “No Parking” signs will be posted two days in advance. Please move vehicles ahead of time.
- Road access: Vehicles, pedestrians, and pets cannot be on the roadway during application.
- Sidewalks: Sidewalks will remain open.
- Towing: Any vehicle left on the street during slurry seal work will be towed.
- Garbage and recycling collection: Not affected. Work schedules will take picture schedules into account
- Project updates: Stay updated at rentonwa.gov/SlurrySeal.
WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER SLURRY SEAL IS APPLIED
- Curing usually takes a few hours, depending on the weather.
- The road will look darker and feel a bit rough at first. As cars drive on it over the next few days and weeks, the surface will become smoother.
- Remember, slurry seal is not new pavement! It’s a protective layer that helps the road last longer.
THANK YOU, RENTON!
Slurry seal is a short-term inconvenience that results in long-term benefits for our entire community. By taking care of our streets today, we’re protecting our roads for tomorrow.
Thank you for your patience!
Learn more about Slurry Seal on our project website at rentonwa.gov/SlurrySeal.