Downtown Overlay Project: A Fresh Surface for Our Streets
If you've seen heavy machinery "chewing up" the pavement in Downtown lately, you're watching a major upgrade in action.
We're currently in the middle of an extensive street resurfacing project (called Mill & Overlay) covering more than 80 blocks and over 30 intersections to ensure our roads are safer and smoother for everyone.
What exactly is a "Mill & Overlay"?
Think of a Mill & Overlay as a high-tech "exfoliation" for the road. Instead of a month-long process of digging up the entire street down to the dirt, we use a specialized machine to mill (scrape off) the damaged top 2-3 inches of old, cracked asphalt.
Once the old surface is removed, we perform necessary base repairs and improve drainage before laying down a fresh overlay of brand-new asphalt.
This process is faster, more cost-effective, and results in a "smooth-as-glass" finish that can last another 10 to 15 years.
Track Our Progress
Mill & Overlay work began December 1, 2025 and is expected to complete in May 2026.
Timelines for completion on individual blocks can vary depending on the extent of repairs needed. This work might include:
- Asphalt resurfacing and restriping
- Curb and gutter replacements
- Full roadway repairs where conditions require it
Blocks slated for straightforward asphalt resurfacing could take a matter of days, whereas more extensive repair work could be multiple weeks but no longer than a month.
Typically, work on a full street is completed within three weeks.
Here's where crews are working and which blocks are on the schedule:
Our Promise: Better Surface, Same Streets
We know that change can be confusing, but our goal is improvement—not reinvention.
Once the work is complete:
- Original layout: All roads will be returned to their original traffic patterns.
- Restored markings: Every lane, bike path, and crosswalk will be repainted in its original position using high-visibility striping.
- Full Completion: We're on track to have all 80+ blocks finalized by May 2026.
How to Report a Major Concern
Construction in a busy urban center is a massive puzzle, and we appreciate your patience.
If you encounter a significant safety hazard, a major drainage issue, or a specific concern within a work zone, please let us know by contacting Brett DeBord, Director of Operations & Capital Projects.