AMHERST — A cape seal road treatment, being applied to South Pleasant and West streets from the intersection of Snell Street south to the roundabout at Pomeroy and West Pomeroy lanes, will lead to detours for drivers on both Friday and Monday.

On Friday, from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., All States Materials Group of Sunderland, partnering with Indus Pavement Preservation Experts, will be applying a rubber chip seal on West Street from Pomeroy north to Mill Lane. During construction, those who live along that stretch of road will only be able to drive south, being redirected to their destinations via Pomeroy or West Pomeroy.

On Monday, over the same time frame, work crews will return to do the rubber chip sealing on South Pleasant from Mill Lane to Snell. Similarly, residents who live along the road will have to drive south before being redirected.

All traffic traveling north along Route 116, from South Hadley and Granby and Atkins Corner and Hampshire College, will be rerouted both days via Pomeroy to South East Street, or West Pomeroy onto South Maple Street in Hadley.

Large trucks are advised to detour through Hadley to avoid getting stuck under the two low bridges on South East Street.

After the initial project, the road surface is left with a rougher material, and needs to be swept periodically. Later in September, crews will return to do the second phase of the project, known as micro surfacing, and leading to a smooth final surface.

Known as the cape seal process, this should extend the life of pavement already in fair to good shape by placing a “tough wearing coat,” as the Department of Public Works engineer Jason Skeels puts it, on the surface of the road. This prevents deterioration and puts off more expensive repairs.

Crocker Farm School is in the middle of the road project, with families and students recently notified about both what will be happening on the road, and in the building, where a fire alarm replacement is prompting early dismissals next week.

“Student safety is our top priority, and every effort is being made to ensure a secure and supportive environment for the students and staff of Crocker Farm Elementary during this time,” Superintendent E. Xiomara Herman said in a statement.

For more information about the roadwork, contact the Amherst Department of Public Works at 413-259-3050 or publicworks@amherstma.gov.