Street Maintenance Sales Tax Program

What Streets Are Targeted for Improvements in FY26?

Roadway Reclamation Program:

In this program, the entire existing asphalt pavement structure is pulverized to a depth of 10 to 12 inches. The road base material under the pavement is mixed with lime/cement stabilization to ensure the new road base has the proper density to support the new asphalt surface. Asphalt is then repaved at a depth of 6 to 8 inches. This method is used for streets that have a poor OCI rating or are considered “red” streets. Work began on this list of selected streets in March 2026:

• Burney Road (Green Oaks Boulevard to the City Limits)
• Russell Curry Road (Eden Rd to US Hwy 287)
• Arbrook Boulevard (Bowen Road to Melear Drive)*
• Beverly Lane*
• Garden Lane*

*Locations included in a separate project scheduled to begin in late summer 2026.

Concrete Panel Replacement Program

The maintenance repair process for concrete roadways often requires excavation of multiple sections of individual concrete panels that are damaged or in poor condition. Each individual section or square is referred to as concrete panel. The damaged panels are excavated/removed and new base material is filled and compacted prior to new concrete being poured into place. These streets are OCI rated as “yellow” or “red.” Work will begin on this list of selected streets in May 2026:

• Green Oaks Boulevard (New York Avenue to Collins Street)
• Eden Rd (Wicklow Street to Matlock Road)
• Sublett Road (Matlock Road to Collins Street)

Mill & Overlay Program

In this program, an asphalt roadway surface is milled down two inches and then repaved with new asphalt surface. This method is for streets in mid-average OCI rating, and the road base is in good condition. These are considered “yellow” streets. Work will begin on this list of selected streets in August 2026:

• Sanford Street (Bowen Road to Cousins Lane)
• Mill Creek Neighborhood
• Brown Boulevard (Collins Street to Hidden Ridge Drive)*

*Project location scheduled to begin in May 2026 as part of the Brown Boulevard (Collins Street to Hidden Ridge Drive) Sidewalk Improvement Project.

(PDF, 7MB)2026 Street Maintenance List with Maps(PDF, 7MB)

The voter-approved Street Maintenance Sales Tax is the primary source of funding for the City of Arlington’s day-to-day roadway maintenance operations.

The Texas Tax code authorizes all cities to establish a special sales tax for the repair and maintenance of existing city streets. Establishment, or continuation, of the tax must be approved by a city’s voters. Currently, a one quarter-cent sales tax is collected from all sales transactions occurring within the City of Arlington that are subject to sales tax.

The Street Maintenance Sales Tax provides a dedicated funding source for street renewal and maintenance projects.  

Arlington voters first authorized the Street Maintenance Sales Tax in September 2002 and reauthorized this funding source in 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2018. 

The Street Maintenance Sales Tax currently generates between $25 million and $30 million annually, which typically accounts for 90% of Arlington’s annual street maintenance budget. Only about 10% of the street maintenance budget is supported by the General Fund.

Over the past 23 years, approximately $340 million has been collected for street rehabilitation and maintenance projects.

Arlington's Public Works Department uses revenue collected through the Street Maintenance Sales Tax to provide ongoing repairs to streets and sidewalks throughout the 99-square-mile city.

Examples of work done under the City’s Street Maintenance Program include concrete panel replacement, asphalt reclamation, crack seal, pothole repairs, mill and overlay, sidewalk replacement and installation of ADA-compliant sidewalk ramps.

The Texas Tax code does not allow Street Maintenance Sales Tax funds to be used to build new roads or repair roadways and sidewalks not owned by the City.

Maintenance programs funded by the street maintenance sales tax include:

• Asphalt Reclamation: Is where the full depth of the asphalt surface is pulverized 10 – 12 inches, and the road base material under the pavement is mixed with lime/cement stabilization to ensure the new road base has the proper density to support the new asphalt surface. Asphalt is then repaved at a depth of 6 inches. This method is for streets that rate poorly on the OCI rating. (red streets)
• Concrete Panel Replacement: References the repair process of concrete roadways either residential, arterial, or major thoroughfares. When making appropriate repairs to concrete streets – it often requires excavation of multiple sections of individual concrete panels that are damaged or in poor condition. Each individual section or square is referred to as concrete panel. The damaged panels are excavated/removed, new base material is filled/compacted prior to new concrete being poured into place. (red & yellow streets)
• Crack Seal: Filling cracks in the road surface with rubberized crack sealant to prevent moisture penetrating the sub-grade and causing pavement failure.
• Mill & Overlay: Is where the asphalt surface is milled down 2 inches and then repaved with new asphalt surface. This method is for streets in mid-average OCI rating, where the road base is in good condition. (yellow streets)
• Miscellaneous Concrete and Handicap Ramps: Removal and replacement of curb, gutter, sidewalks, and driveway approaches in advance of the asphalt reclamation process. This program also includes replacement of adjacent sidewalks to ensure proper grade and installation of compliant ramps as per the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
• Sidewalk Replacement: Permanent repair of locations throughout the city that have been temporarily patched with asphalt to eliminate tripping hazards. 

Roads wear out over time from everyday traffic, heavy vehicles, weather, and other environmental factors. In North Texas, the soil under our streets also plays an important role. Arlington has mostly clay soil, which swells when it gets wet and shrinks when it dries. This movement puts stress on the pavement and can cause cracks. Once cracks form, water can get into the layers below the street, weakening the roadway, and speeding up damage. This makes water one of the leading causes of pavement failure.

Because clay soil weakens and damages roadways quicker, repairs are needed much sooner and more often. The additional roadway repairs increase maintenance costs. 

To help reduce soil impacts, the City has invested in stronger soil preparation standards during construction since 2009. These standards increase construction costs but help to create a more stable base for streets and reduce damage from moisture, which helps roads last longer and perform better.

Unless reauthorized by voters in a subsequent “reauthorization election”, the tax will expire December 31, 2026.