The City of Reading officially kicked off a $2.13 million street paving project Monday morning, November 2, with improvements beginning on Joan Terrace and Summit Chase Drive. The project will include work on streets throughout the city, with paving expected to be completed by the end of November, weather permitting.
Mayor Eddie Morán announced the project during a press conference at the intersection of Joan Terrace and Summit Chase Drive, joined by city officials. The $2,132,405 investment is funded through the city’s Liquid Fuels funds and will cover approximately 2.12 miles of roadway.
“One of the concerns I hear from residents regularly is the condition of our streets. Potholes, deteriorating pavement and roads that are long overdue for improvements are issues people deal with every day,” Morán said. “We hear those concerns, and this project is an important step toward addressing them. Our streets are part of the foundation of our neighborhoods, and investing in them makes a difference in residents’ everyday lives.”
The project involves milling the existing top layer of pavement and replacing it with new asphalt. The city will also install ADA-compliant curb ramps at intersections where they are currently missing, improving accessibility for pedestrians and residents with disabilities.
While paving is expected to wrap up by the end of November, work on the accessible ramps will continue into next year, with completion anticipated by mid-2027.
According to the city’s official project list, the following streets and sections are included:
- Summit Chase Drive (Joan Terrace to cul-de-sac)
- Joan Terrace (Old Wyomissing to Parkside)
- Orange Street (Muhlenberg Street to Cotton Street)
- Blair Avenue (Schuylkill to Monroe Street)
- Thorn Street (Douglass Street to Oley Street)
- Brookline Plaza (Lancaster Avenue to Liggett Avenue)
- Ritter Street (Greenwich Street to Green Street)
- Ritter Street (Greenwich Street to Windsor Street)
- Reed Street (Buttonwood Street to Walnut Street)
- Canal Street (Riverfront Drive to 7th Street)
- Hudson Street (2nd Street to Thorn Street)
- Pear Street (Elm Street to Buttonwood Street)
- Clymer Street (Hill Road to Mineral Springs Road)
- Gerry Street (McClellan Street to Hancock Boulevard)
- Rose Street (Walnut Street to Buttonwood Street)
Mayor Morán said construction will temporarily affect parking in neighborhoods where work is underway. Streets will generally be posted for parking restrictions during daytime working hours, with residents permitted to park again in the evenings before moving their vehicles for the following day’s work.
The city also advised residents to expect temporary traffic restrictions as crews move through the project areas. Additional information about construction schedules and potential impacts will be shared as it becomes available.
“These improvements are about more than just smoother roads,” Morán said. “They help improve traffic safety, enhance the appearance of our neighborhoods and support property values. Revitalization means investing in every part of our city, including the streets and neighborhoods where our residents live.”
The mayor acknowledged that many additional streets remain in need of repair and that improvements cannot be completed all at once. He described the paving project as part of the city’s ongoing effort to address infrastructure needs and improve neighborhood conditions.
According to the city, Reading has paved a total of 26.25 miles of streets since Morán took office in January 2020, representing an ongoing investment in neighborhood infrastructure.
Morán thanked the city’s Public Works team and others involved in preparing the project, while encouraging residents to remain patient and show appreciation for crews working in their neighborhoods.
Construction will continue throughout November as weather conditions allow, with additional accessibility improvements extending into 2027.
