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Rubber Chip Road Treatment
Rubber Chip Seal
New in 2025 The Town of Salem NH will be applying a rubber chip treatment on the following roads:
- Castle Ridge Road
- Cole Street
- Shepard Ave
- Birch Road
- Jill Road
- Gail Road
- Eagle's Nest Ridge
- Orchard Terrace
- Peggy Lane
Rubber Chip Seal - Asphalt-Rubber SAM (Stress Absorbing Membrane) is a high performance type of chip seal surface treatment that seals and preserves the existing pavement surface.
All States Materials Group Information Pamphlet
Municipal Resident Information
Pavement Preservation Journal Article - Yarmouth MA 2023
New England Construction Article - Arlington MA 2021
New England Construction Article - Newport RI 2019
Commonly Asked Questions
Will roads treated with an Asphalt‐Rubber SAM look and feel the same as paved roads?
No. Like chip seals, an Asphalt‐Rubber SAM is not a paved process and will have a rougher surface texture, especially immediately after the treatment. The roads will smooth out over time as vehicles drive on them, and they will eventually look and feel similar to a paved road.
Will there be loose stones on the road?
Briefly. Unlike traditional chip seals, the Asphalt‐Rubber SAM is swept the same day immediately after placement of the treatment.
Can I drive on freshly treated roads?
Yes. Roads treated with an Asphalt‐Rubber SAM can be driven on as soon as they are rolled and swept. Drivers should use caution and reduce their speed if driving on the treated surface in the brief time before it has been swept.
How do you decide which roads to treat with an Asphalt‐Rubber SAM and which roads to pave?
Every year the town evaluates the condition of the pavement on all of the roads and decides on the best treatments based on conditions and available funding.
Why are you working on roads in good condition instead of fixing the bad roads?
The goal of the town is to extend the overall life of our road network. By keeping our good roads in good condition and avoiding expensive repairs, we can improve the overall condition of the entire network. The town will continue to repair poor quality and unsafe roads within our overall network plan and budget.