2023 Asphalt Overlay Program

Where concrete repairs are made, disturbance to lawns is an inevitable part of the process. The contractor will reseed areas impacted by the concrete construction. If concrete repairs in your neighborhood are finished between June and August, seed will not typically be planted until the fall. We wait to reseed during these months because of the challenge for the grass to grow during this time.

Although the contractor will be responsible for watering for several weeks, we recommend that you supplement the contractor’s watering to accelerate grass growth. Turf grasses generally require 1 inch of water per week. Even with proper maintenance, it could take up to two years to reestablish the lawn to the preconstruction condition. You may take additional measures to expedite the restoration process such as overseeding, fertilizing, or weed control.

If weeds grow before the grass, please mow the restored areas and the grass will eventually catch up and fill the restored area. Typical lawn maintenance will control many varieties of nuisance weeds. The contractor will employ weed control measures, but some cannot be performed for several weeks after grass germination to protect the new grass.

The maintenance and repair of your driveway approach and the associated gutter are your responsibility. If your approach is in need of repair, now may be a good time to perform this work. Driveway approaches and associated gutter will not be replaced as a part of this project. In the picture below, the area shaded in blue (driveway approach and the gutter in front of approach) are the property owner’s responsibility.

If you choose to have your driveway approach replaced before the mill and overlay, you will not have to pay for the asphalt patch (18-inch area shaded in gray) that is typically needed when replacing the approach.

Please let us know if you plan on replacing your driveway approach before the asphalt overlay. The contractor performing the work will need to be bonded and insured and receive a permit from City Engineering before starting the repair.

The Street Division will drop off an informational door tag to let you know when crews plan to mill, tack, and overlay your street. If you have any questions on the schedule for paving your street, contact the Street Division at 605-367-8255.

Overlay projects typically progress through the following steps:

1. Spot Utility Repair
2. Curb and Gutter Repairs, ADA Curb Ramp Installation
3. Milling of Existing Asphalt
4. Asphalt Overlay

Due to the number of neighborhoods where work occurs and number of contractors involved, there may be time between each phase because of the complexity of the project. We appreciate your patience and cooperation throughout the whole process.

Routine maintenance is the key to managing our street assets in a cost-effective manner. Well-timed maintenance (i.e., crack sealing, surface treatment, and mill and overlay) allow streets to stay in good condition and extend the life of the street. Here are some of the reasons we mill and overlay streets:

• It is a cost-effective way to extend the life of a street. The new asphalt not only seals the street, but also provides some structural value.
• Milling removes deterioration and helps to restore the street to its original shape.
• Other needed improvements (i.e., sanitary sewer and concrete repairs) can efficiently be made in conjunction with this program. This allows for multiple benefits to the City’s infrastructure through the implementation of this program.
• Although construction can be inconvenient at times, this program is far less invasive than a street reconstruction project.
• The end product is aesthetically appealing, improves the ride, and extends the life of the street. 

Milling consists of grinding the top surface of the asphalt down approximately 2 inches to make room for a new layer of asphalt. The byproduct of this operation is a material known as ‟millings.” Millings can be reused in place of gravel in street construction or can be recycled at the asphalt plant to make new asphalt. The asphalt overlay takes place in the days following the milling operation.

You can drive on the street after it has been milled. The asphalt overlay will happen shortly after the street has been milled.

After we overlay a street, we have to close the street afterwards for a short period of time. Depending on air temperature, the street may remain closed for four to eight hours while the asphalt cools down. Barricades will be removed from the street when crews have determined the street is ready to be opened. Please continue to be patient and do not drive around barricades to access a street under construction.

After paving, asphalt can still be above 200°F. At this temperature, the new asphalt can be damaged by vehicles and people. Even when the street is back open to traffic, the new asphalt still may be susceptible to damage. In the first few days after paving, please avoid turning your tires while stopped to prevent the surface from tearing or scaring.