The city of Utica is moving forward with its 2025-2026 paving program and has outlined its long-term infrastructure plan.
According to a statement, Utica Mayor Michael Galime said improving how the city maintains its road infrastructure has been part of his administration’s active work.
“Step one was last year’s paving assessment,” the mayor said in a statement. “This year, we are utilizing that objective data to implement a new program that includes reconstruction, mill and fill, major repairs, mass road maintenance, and a new DPW-based pothole crew to start from scratch on how we take on our road maintenance.”
The following is a list of key program updates the city plans to implement over the next two years.
Pothole repair
The city is utilizing its own in-house capabilities to perform pothole repairs, now equipped with a hot box and roller for the first time in over a decade.
Department of Public Works crews can now deliver longer-lasting patches using proper techniques, marking a significant step forward in efficiency, quality, and cost control.
Shaw Street full reconstruction
This long-standing and necessary project, the subject of public outcry for years, is now funded and moving forward.
This full-depth rebuild addresses long-term needs through subsurface reinforcement left unfinished after major underground infrastructure repairs.
Micro-paving for preventative maintenance
A critical, previously missing component of Utica’s maintenance strategy, micro-paving is now being implemented citywide.
Designed to preserve roads that are in good structural shape but show surface wear from utility work and weathering, micro-paving applies a polymer-modified overlay, extending road life from 2–3 years to 7–10 years.
At one-tenth the cost of mill-and-fill, this technique increases the value of prior investments.
Roadway repairs program
Following a comprehensive post-winter road condition assessment, the city contracted for targeted, large-scale repairs.
This work will address sinkholes, localized road detachments, and other hazards across Utica, with a focus on durable solutions that reduce the need for future interventions.
Mill and fill projects
This year’s mill-and-fill treatment is reserved for the worst-rated streets (scoring a 5 on the pavement assessment).
Roads scoring 2.3–3 will receive micro-paving, while segments in the 3–4 range are scheduled for major repairs. The initial round of bids came in high, prompting a rebid with reduced quantities.
The contract was awarded to Heidelberg, which will execute this year’s paving work.
A bi-annual assessment of every road in Utica is now part of the City’s long-term strategy.
Full results can be viewed at PaveUtica.com.
“By making progressive, incremental changes with a focus on long-term sustainability and efficient use of dollars, we can create a higher standard for ourselves and our contractors,” Galime said in the statement. “We are ensuring consistency and value across the board. This program isn’t just about fixing roads — it’s about delivering a system that works better, lasts longer, and respects the investment of our taxpayers.”
Residents will continue to receive timely updates regarding construction schedules and traffic impacts.
Full lists will be provided to the common council at the July 2 meeting, and the public upon request.
This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: City of Utica outlines its 2025-2026 paving program
Reporting by Casey Pritchard, Utica Observer Dispatch / Observer-Dispatch
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