Construction for the City of Citrus Heights’ first major Street Resurfacing Project is officially complete!  Over the past construction season, 219 roadway segments received some form of resurfacing, with the majority of these being residential streets improved through neighborhood-focused work.

However, our team is still hard at work. On October 14th City Council approved a construction contract for the first two steps for the roadways included in both the 2026 and 2027 Pavement Maintenance Program.

As work progresses, the City is addressing common questions regarding the process and final product: why does it take so long? Why does my street look like that? And why doesn’t every street receive the same treatment?

The answers lie in the City’s pavement preservation process, which is designed to use the right treatment at the right time based on each roadway’s condition, traffic and underlying structure. 

Understanding the 4-Step Process

Street resurfacing is more than just laying new asphalt. Resurfacing is a general term used to describe a range of asphalt preservation techniques that enhance the existing roadway. Depending on the condition of a street, the appropriate treatment may involve a single-, double-, or three-layer application. 

Not every street needs all four steps, and the timing can vary significantly from one roadway to another.

1. Crack Seal (if applicable): Existing cracks are sealed to stop water from penetrating the pavement, one of the leading causes of road deterioration.

• What this looks like: Thin, dark lines sealing cracks in the roadway surface.

2. Accessibility & Drainage Upgrades (if applicable)
Crews first improve curb ramps, sidewalks and drainage to meet current standards and reduce the potential for future work that could damage any new resurfacing treatments.

• What this looks like: New or upgraded curb ramps, sidewalk improvements, or drainage adjustments.

3. Localized Asphalt Repairs (if applicable)
Damaged or weakened sections of roadway asphalt are removed and rebuilt to create a strong foundation.

• What this looks like: Specific areas of improvement.

4. Resurfacing & Striping: Finally, an asphalt treatment is applied, followed by new striping and markings to complete the project. This process occurs in multiple layers, and different streets require different treatments. Each roadway is independently reviewed to determine the most appropriate treatment and therefore may not “match” other roadways nearby that are receiving a different treatment. Some treatments are applied in a single layer while others are placed in multiple layers, therefore the timeline to complete each street is also unique to each road. While some streets may take only a few weeks, others could be months.

• What this looks like: A smooth, uniform road surface with fresh lane and pavement markings.

Early phases, especially crack sealing and localized repairs, can make roads appear rough or unfinished. This is temporary and a necessary step toward a smoother, longer-lasting surface.

A Proactive Investment in Our Streets

Citrus Heights is taking a different approach than many cities by prioritizing infrastructure.

The City is allocating General Fund dollars, typically reserved for core services like public safety, to address decades of deferred road maintenance. This makes Citrus Heights one of the few jurisdictions in the region using local General Fund dollars to directly support road improvements. This strategic investment reflects both a community priority and the City’s commitment to safe, reliable streets while taking a proactive approach to long-term infrastructure needs. 

Choosing the right treatment at the right time also helps the City make these dollars go further. Recent Citrus Heights resurfacing treatments averaged approximately one-quarter the cost of repaving. Preservation can help extend the life of more streets before they require more costly reconstruction.

And it’s paying off!  

The resurfacing of the roadways included in the 2025 program resulted in a 3-point increase in the City’s overall pavement condition index, marking the first time in recorded history that the City’s average pavement condition has increased year over year. In previous years, even with resurfacing efforts, the City typically saw its average pavement condition decrease by 2 to 3 points annually.

The 2025 program also helped shift the overall condition of the City’s streets:

• "Poor” and “Very Poor” streets decreased by 10%!
• “Good” and “Very Good” streets increased by 10%!

The City’s Pavement Preservation Plan, adopted in December 2023, outlines a multi-year schedule to systematically improve road conditions across the community.

What Residents Can Expect During Construction

Work may include:

• Pavement grinding and asphalt repairs 
• Sidewalk, curb, and gutter repairs 
• New accessible curb ramps
• Adjustments to manholes and utility covers 
• Roadway resurfacing
• New striping and road markings 

For everyone’s safety, residents are encouraged to follow posted construction signs and reduce their driving speed. Crews will continue working to minimize disruptions as much as possible.

Questions or Need Assistance?

Residents who have questions or require special access accommodations during construction can contact: 
General Services Department 
(916) 727-4770 
GeneralServices@citrusheights.net