On Monday, March 31, Arlington residents will be able to see the first of many street overlay projects get under way since a new sales tax for street maintenance became effective on January 1.

The City of Arlington Streets Division will begin the first overlay projects in south Arlington, according to Street Superintendent Bill Bateman. The areas include county-type roads south of Harris Road on the east side of Cooper Street. Construction work is scheduled to begin around 8:30 a.m. Arlington motorists are reminded to exercise caution and drive safely while traveling near construction zones.

On September 14, 2001, Arlington voters authorized one-quarter of one percent of the City’s sales tax to be dedicated to the repair and maintenance of existing, aging streets. The current sales tax is 7.5 percent.

Arlington city officials estimate the quarter-cent sales tax for streets could generate approximately $10.7 million annually.