Motorists on two major roadways in Mathews may experience a slightly rougher surface during the next few weeks as part of an improvement project, said Kelly Hannon, a spokesperson for the Virginia Department of Transportation.

The first phase of road paving on Route 14, from Route 611 (Tabernacle Road) to just east of Route 729 (Weston Hall Road) is expected to be completed by next Friday, Aug. 26. In addition, the first phase of work on Route 198, from just east of Route 1015 (Cross Court) to Route 633 (Fitchetts Wharf Road), is also expected to be completed by the end of next week, weather permitting, Hannon said.

A contractor is applying surface treatment on both stretches of roadway, Hannon said. This is the first phase in a two-step process to improve the travel surface.

In this initial phase, asphalt is sprayed directly onto the road, immediately followed by an application of small stones which are rolled and compressed into the road so they are 50-70 percent embedded in the p...