A mill-and-overlay project is currently underway on East Avenue as crews from the City of Brownsville’s Department of Engineering and Public Works work to improve roadway conditions for motorists and residents in the area.
Road repairs stretch from I-69 to East 30th Street and are expected to continue through February 20. During construction, drivers may encounter temporary lane closures and are urged to use caution while traveling through the work zone.
For longtime resident Marisela Garcia Villarreal, the improvements are welcome. She has lived in the neighborhood for more than 60 years and said East Avenue has been in need of repairs, especially with increased traffic in recent years.
“We’re very glad that it’s happening now, that they are fixing the streets for us,” Villarreal said. “I’m very happy that it’s finally getting fixed.”
A mill and overlay is a roadway maintenance process that removes the top layer of worn asphalt and replaces it with a new layer of fresh pavement. The method creates a smoother driving surface, repairs damaged pavement, improves drainage, and extends the life of the roadway without requiring a full reconstruction. In addition to milling and overlay work, crews are also repairing soft spots and making targeted pavement improvements.
Local businesses are also looking forward to the upgrades. Crista Garcia, a barista at Aroma Espresso, located at 2805 East Avenue, said she noticed the project signs in advance and was excited to see the work begin.
“I have been seeing the signs, and then around Avenida I think they did a similar reconstruction,” Garcia said. “I’m pretty excited about that.”
She added that smoother pavement will especially benefit pedestrians, including a nearby resident who relies on a walker to get around.
