The Minnesota Department of Transportation said in a press release Wednesday that work to begin chip sealing will start Monday in eight counties in southeast Minnesota including Mower County.

Roads will be reduced to single-lane, alternating travel, directed by flaggers.

Delays should be minimal and work is targeted for completion in mid-August.

Among those roads in Mower being worked out includes: Highway 218 in Mower County from the Iowa state line to Interstate 90, Highway 63 in Mower and Olmsted counties from Highway 16 to Stewartville City Limits and Highway 56 in Fillmore/Mower Counties from Highway 63 to Ada Street in LeRoy.

Outside of Mower County, a stretch of Highway 30 from Highway 56 near Hayfield to Highway 63 and another stretch of Highway 30 from County Road 45 to Highway 218 in Blooming Prairie will pos receive work.

Chip sealing involves applying a thin film of heated asphalt on the road surface, followed by the placement of small aggregates or “chips.”

These chips are then compacted to allow for maximum adherence to the asphalt and excess stone is swept away.