Bangor students currently encounter bumpy, noisy, unclear, treacherous conditions on Five Points Road with the placement of fresh oil and chips while traveling to school. So, what’s the deal?

Usually done in rural areas, this pre-paving process consists of spreading a thin layer of oil over existing road and covering it with fine graded gravel. The gravel adheres to the oil and is compacted as vehicles and construction equipment travel over the surface. Putting down fresh oil and chips is an effective tool that improves the pavement by sealing cracks and taking out minor defects.

The resulting surface, students may have realized, is less than ideal for traveling.

“It’s annoying how the rocks fly up on my windshield and it smells awful,” Lauren Haffling said.

As of now, students may be annoyed while making their way into school, but in the end, they should expect a smooth and steady ride.