ASHLAND — The city of Ashland is gearing up for its largest street resurfacing program ever.
Ashland City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to go out for bids on a $2.6 million resurfacing program that would repave up to 60 streets.
“This would actually rank among the largest number of streets we’ve resurfaced in a single year,” said Ashland Mayor Matt Miller.
After including a nearly $5.1 million Claremont Avenue resurfacing project, 2023 could also mark one of the most expensive, Miller said, even after $2.4 million of the project being covered by grants. He added that section of Claremont Avenue — between Smith and Baney roads — could be completed by September.
Miller said the city is still working on putting together a list of the 60 streets slated for repaving.
The city’s street resurfacing program is funded by an income tax levy that voters first approved in 2016. It was renewed in 2020 and will last through 2025.
Since 2016, the program has led to the repaving of 131 of the city’s 315 streets, Miller said.
“So we’re working through the list just as we promised,” the mayor said.
He added the city considers three factors when determining which streets will be repaved: traffic volume, pavement condition and whether or not streets have scheduled utility repairs.
One of the 60 streets to be repaved, for example, includes Third Street. When it is repaved, the city will also pay to convert it into a two-way street, Miller said.
