View the map below to see all locations included in the 2026 Street Improvements Project and identify areas where construction activities will occur throughout the year.

Please review the following bullet points that will help in insuring that the construction process moves forward as smooth as possible.

• During the construction period any work crew member can assist citizens.
• Citizens will have access to their drive at all times.
• Please do not park along the street during the designated time period. Vehicles will be towed, if necessary, to complete the work.
• Please trim any landscaping and keep all debris out of the road/gutter during this time.
• Drive slowly if you accidentally enter a freshly treated area. (5 mph)
• Keep children and pets out of treated areas to avoid tracking into houses.
• Please refrain from using lawn sprinklers, washing cars, etc. on day of treatment. The pavement must be dry.
• Rain or unforeseeable conditions may delay work until the following day.
• Remember, any crew member can assist you during actual construction.

Step 1: Concrete Flatwork

Concrete repairs are performed about a month before repaving is scheduled to begin. These repairs include fixing damaged curb and gutter and upgrading curb ramps to the newest standards. Curb and gutter that is cracked or settled to the point of holding water may be marked for removal and replacement. 

The Street Improvements Project is also one of the main ways we meet ADA compliance. Over 100 curb ramps are upgraded each year to the latest standards, helping make our sidewalk network accessible to all users.

Step 2: Asphalt Milling/Utility Adjustments

Pavement milling is used to remove the existing asphalt before repaving. Removing the existing asphalt provides a fresh surface for the new pavement by removing existing distress. There may be some uneven surfaces in the street after the contractor performs milling operations. However, this will be resolved with the emergence of a new asphalt surface.

Utility adjustments to water valve boxes and manholes may be necessary prior to performing the resurfacing operations on a project. These adjustments are normally fairly simple and take only a matter of hours. More complex adjustments can take up to several days to complete. The adjustment can normally be accomplished without interruption of service to the property owners. However, if a situation arises requiring us to temporarily interrupt water or sewer service, we will provide proper notification to the property owners.

Step 3: Patching and Paving

Patching may be utilized as a standalone repair or in conjunction with resurfacing or other surface treatments. Patching isolated areas on otherwise healthy streets gives us the opportunity to correct problems before they cause further damage. Patching a small area on a street can eliminate severe cracking or a pothole and bring the street up to a higher standard. Patching is a great way to extend the life of the entire street and reduce the need for costly resurfacing in the near future. Furthermore, patching may be used in conjunction with resurfacing or other surface treatments to prevent underlying problems from causing damage and reappearing after resurfacing or other surface treatments have been applied.

Street repaving or resurfacing provides a new layer of asphalt surface on the street to protect the underlying road structure and improve the quality of the ride. Before resurfacing, a tar-like tack coat is applied to some streets. This tar-like material seeps into the cracks of the underlying pavement, sealing the existing pavement and helping in bonding the new surface course.

Planned for 2027: Rejuvenator

Rejuvenator is a penetrating sealer that simply replaces the vital ingredients that have been lost from the asphalt over time due to exposure to the sun's UV rays and wet weather. This application can extend the life expectancy of roads. Extending the life of the roadway helps reduce future costs and tax dollars needed for paving.

When applied to newer pavements, this product helps to protect the asphalt from damage due to exposure to the elements. Everyone understands that we would not buy a new car and never perform an oil change on it. Oil changes are considered part of your car's preventive maintenance to help it last for many years. Asphalt roads are really not any different. Without timely preventive maintenance, an asphalt road will deteriorate faster than necessary.

The maintenance treatment being provided on your street will help the Town of Cary protect one of its largest assets and provide you with a road that will serve for years to come.

The rejuvenator is sprayed onto the asphalt surface and has a pink tint. The pink dye disappears as the rejuvenator penetrates into the pavement. After the rejuvenator has penetrated, a light dusting of sand is applied for added traction. The sand is removed within 48 hours. Material tracked onto concrete areas should weather off in about 3 weeks, leaving no stain.

Cary is committed to doing what is necessary to efficiently maintain our infrastructure and works to be cost effective by rehabilitating and resurfacing our streets during the early stages of cracking and deterioration. There are approximately 525 miles of Cary maintained roadway within the town’s limits that are surveyed each year.

The annual Street Improvements Project includes maintenance patching, ADA curb ramp replacements, curb and gutter repair, pavement marking restoration, and asphalt resurfacing of streets rated 72 and below in the highest priority neighborhoods. This project will help maintain the integrity of the Town's road system, prevent further deterioration, and reduce long-term repair costs. By improving the condition of our street system, this project will contribute to a better overall driving experience for residents and visitors.

Pavement Condition Survey

Every year, a private consultant is employed to perform a pavement condition survey. They conduct a visual survey of the streets maintained by Cary following the methodology and approach in the latest NCDOT Pavement Condition Survey (PCS) Manual as developed by the Institute for Transportation Research and Education (ITRE). The information gathered includes various pavement defects like rutting, raveling, patching, and multiple types of cracking. Street segments are given a pavement condition rating (PCR) from 100-0, with 100 being a newly paved street. The data is foundation of our street maintenance program and used to determine if streets are candidates for resurfacing, rejuvenating, crack sealing, and/or patching.

Once the worst streets are identified, streets that are in the same area that are rated in poor condition or worse area also captured for repaving. We continue up the ratings and associated neighborhood streets until the budget is exhausted. This neighborhood approach to street repaving improves aesthetics of the community since construction traffic does not have to drive over newly repaved streets year after year, improved service to residents, and increased efficiency for contractors leading to more competitive construction pricing.

Starting with the adoption of the 11^th Edition of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), published by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Cary has incorporated an assessment of the retro-reflectivity of pavement markings into the pavement condition survey. Retro-reflectivity is the feature of pavement markings and traffic signs that causes them to really “pop” at night. When a car’s headlights hit the markings, the light is reflected back, highlighting the markings to the driver’s eye. As pavement markings age, retro-reflectivity can degrade so Cary measures the current level to determine if the pavement markings should be scheduled for maintenance. Cary’s program mirrors the requirements of the MUTCD in assessing higher volume roads posted at 35 mph or higher.

The map below includes our latest pavement condition data. A legend can be accessed by clicking the "Layers" icon which is next to the magnifying glass within the map. More information on the pavement condition survey process can be found below in the Pavement Condition Ratings section.

Why are these street improvement projects happening? 
Street improvement projects are designed to improve safety, traffic flow, accessibility, pavement conditions, and overall transportation infrastructure throughout Cary.  

How does Cary decide which streets need improvement? 
Each year, Cary evaluates street conditions and rates roads based on pavement quality to determine maintenance needs. Streets in the worst condition, along with nearby roads in poor shape, are prioritized for repaving to improve efficiency, neighborhood appearance, and construction costs. 
 
Why wasn’t my street included? 
Streets are selected for repaving based on condition, usage, and available funding. If your street was not included this year, it may be scheduled for a future cycle. 

When will the project be finished? 
Construction from April to June will focus on replacing non-compliant curb ramps. Paving activities are anticipated to begin in June and last into the fall. Most repaving projects take place over several days to a few weeks, depending on weather and scheduling. You may notice short gaps between phases, but crews will return to complete the work. 

Is it safe to drive on the road during construction? 
Yes. While conditions may be temporarily different (uneven surfaces, no markings), the road remains open and safe. Please drive carefully and follow posted signs. 

Why do roads sometimes appear unfinished during resurfacing? 
Repaving happens in stages:  

Concrete Flatwork
Asphalt Milling / Utility Adjustments
Asphalt Paving
Pavement Marking

You might see rough surface between steps – this is normal and temporary. 

Why are there no lane markings right now? 
Lane markings are typically installed after the final layer of asphalt is placed. Temporary conditions may exist for a short time until striping is completed. 

Will residents still be able to access their homes while repairing projects? 
The Town works with contractors to maintain access whenever possible. Residents are typically notified in advance about temporary closures, parking restrictions, or short periods where driveway access may be limited during paving operations. 
 
What should residents do about parking during street resurfacing? 
Temporary parking restrictions may be necessary during repaving. Residents are encouraged to follow posted signs and project notices and move vehicles off impacted streets during scheduled work windows. 

Why is traffic slower, or are lanes closed? 
Lane closures are necessary so crews can safely complete the work. We work to minimize disruptions and complete projects as efficiently as possible. 

How soon can drivers use a newly paved road? 
Most roads can reopen to traffic shortly after paving is completed, although drivers should follow posted guidance and avoid sudden stops or turns until the pavement fully settles. 

How can I stay updated on this project? 
Visit this page for updates or follow us on social media for construction updates and alerts. 

Why is Cary removing perfectly good concrete curb ramps?
Part of the Street Improvements Project is also to upgrade curb ramps to meet ADA standards. This helps make our sidewalk network more accessible for all users. 
 
Why is Cary spray painting marks and lines all over my yard?
Utility lines are marked before any construction and digging is done. Some utilities are buried at shallow depths and are potentially dangerous if struck.