Motorists traveling on Winchester’s Bypass Road may have noticed a little noisier ride since some resurfacing was done earlier this summer.

The newly-repaved portion of the Bypass includes the stretch from Lexington Avenue to Redwing Drive.

The project was done as part of a statewide Preventative Maintenance Program, Natasha Lacy, district 7 public information office for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, said.

Lacy said rather than using traditional resurfacing, the road was sealed with a microsurfacing material.

According to a KYTC information pamphlet, microsurfacing “is a mixture of polymer-modified asphalt and dense graded find crushed rock material. This spreadable slurry seal provides a thin durable wearing course.”

The state’s Preventative Maintenance Program works to extend the life of the existing roadways, Lacy said.

“This is accomplished by applying cost-effective treatments in a timely manner,” according to the information pamphlet. “It’s estimated that each dollar spent on proper preventative maintenance saves taxpayers $6 to $10 in future repair costs.”

Lacy said the microsurfacing was used in Clark County to limit the need for future repairs on the Bypass.

“Pavement is tested and then it is determined what kind of surface treatment we should use for preventative maintenance purposes,” she said. “This helps keep asphalt from deteriorating.”

Microsurfacing is beneficial for several reasons, according to KYTC. The sealant protects and seals the surface from weather, increases surface friction and addresses pavement rutting all at a lower cost.

“Microsurfacing is not only effective, it also wears well so we don’t have to constantly fix the roads which reduces spending of taxpayer dollars,” Lacy said.

While the sealant has many benefits, it does create a noisier ride, Lacy said.

“Generally with these treatments, the noise reduces over time,” she said. “As the surface begins to wear and polish from traffic and settles, the noise will not be as noticeable.”

Lacy said microsurfacing is used on roadways statewide and has proven effective and less noisy overtime in other communities.

“There is no danger the surface will damage or wear tires,” she said. “It is safe for vehicles.”

Lacy said the microsurfacing portion of the project is complete, but there will be more work done to that segment of the roadway.

However, she said her office was unaware of any plans to microsurface the remainder of the Bypass — from Redwing Drive to Boone Avenue.

“That will largely depend on funding availability and need,” she said.