Durham is planning a large-scale street repair project in 2026 that will extend to neighborhoods across the city. Crews will mill, patch, adjust utilities, and lay new asphalt, along with adding pavement markings and performing targeted preservation work to maintain existing streets.
In a short video posted on a Facebook post, the City of Durham announced it is proceeding with a nearly $13.5 million street-repair and repaving contract covering more than 65 lane miles across the city, according to the city’s Facebook page. The project is funded by the Connect Durham bond approved by voters in November 2024, which allocates money for streets, sidewalks, and parks, Axios Raleigh reported.
Scope and schedule
According to the City of Durham, bid documents for Contract ST‑342 outline work including milling at various depths, asphalt patching, manhole and water‑valve adjustments, thermoplastic pavement markings, and other tasks planned for the 2026 project. The documents indicate that crews will address both deteriorating surface pavement and utility-grade adjustments before laying new asphalt.
The preservation contract, ST‑343, includes microsurfacing, crack sealing, cape seals, and asphalt rejuvenation, in addition to repaving. According to the city’s project page, construction is scheduled to start in spring 2026 and is expected to be completed by fall 2026. The full schedule and quantities are available on the City of Durham’s listing.
Funding and context
The work is part of Connect Durham, the two-question bond referendum approved by voters in November 2024, which authorized the city to borrow up to $200 million—about $115 million of which is designated for streets and sidewalks, Axios Raleigh reported. City officials say the bond funds, combined with favorable borrowing terms, enable Durham to address a backlog of pavement needs more quickly than relying solely on its annual operating budget.
What residents will see
The work will proceed neighborhood by neighborhood, with the city notifying residents in advance through variable-message boards, door-hanger notices, and permanent construction signs, according to Durham’s repaving presentation. Crews are expected to minimize driveway disruptions when possible, and the city will provide weekly project updates to keep residents informed about which streets are scheduled for work…