will the road tires I selected handle a bit of gravel fine?
Continental Ultra Gatorskin Road Tire, in 28 width, the sidewall is reinforced, its largely a slick tire,
so It will survive the small stones, of say 1/4 minus gravel , OK for a reasonable amount of time.
Cannot make any guarantees that the handling skill of the rider will go up due to a tire choice.
I would use extra caution in those sections if I were you..
a wheel that goes out from underneath you is not a good thing.
However I'm concerned, how well would they handle occasional driving on the gravel shoulder (for example if a large car tries to pass me and there isn't enough room on the pavement). Do you think these tires could take that use no problem maybe once or twice during my commute?
Its the transition that will be a problem , if you are forced off the road ,
and hit the gravel verge, with a drop off, no skinny tire will help
if the front wheel starts ploughing gravel..
and the steep transition back onto the pavement may steer the front wheel
instead of your hands,
not unlike dropping a wheel in the slot along side the light rail tracks.
So No that tire wont make any difference , nor will many..
consider standing your ground and staying on the pavement ,
another route or a Mountain bike.