Work Starts This Week on City Street, Sidewalk, Trail Projects
The City of Traverse City will start work on numerous local street, sidewalk, and trail projects this week.
Cape Seal Project
The city will start its 2026 cape seal project Wednesday, which will help preserve pavement on several miles of city streets. Work is anticipated to be substantially complete by Friday, September 18, with pavement markings to follow later in September.
"Cape seal is a two-step pavement preservation treatment that combines a chip seal with a micro-surface application," according to the city's Bay Brief. "The first application, chip seal, places a layer of asphalt emulsion and aggregate over the existing roadway to seal minor cracks and protect the pavement from water and weather-related deterioration. The second application, micro-surfacing, creates a smoother, more uniform finished surface. Together, the treatments can extend the life of a roadway by approximately seven to 10 years, while improving surface quality and providing a renewed roadway surface without the cost and disruption of a full reconstruction."
Because cape seal is a "preservation treatment rather than a reconstruction project, motorists may still notice existing roadway characteristics or imperfections beneath the finished surface," the Bay Brief states. "The goal of the treatment is to preserve and protect the existing pavement and delay the need for more extensive future improvements." Since it is a two-step process, crews will return one week after the first treatment to complete the second application.
Several downtown streets will be included in the work. The downtown schedule is as follows:
Cass Street – September 9 & 15: Full closure from the North Cass Street Bridge to Washington Street and the South Cass Street Bridge to Eighth Street.
Front Street – September 10 & 16: Partial closure from Pine Street to Boardman Avenue.
Hall Street – September 10 & 16: Flagging operations from West Front Street to Grandview Parkway.
Union Street – September 11 & 17: Partial closure from Garland Street to the South Union Street Bridge and Eighth Street to Ninth Street.
Eighth Street – September 11 & 17: Flagging operations from Union Street to Lake Avenue.
"Front Street will be partially closed while crews complete each stage of the cape seal treatment," according to the Bay Brief. "Businesses will remain accessible, and the contractor will work to complete the treatment and reopen the street as quickly as conditions allow." Streets being treated will be impacted for several hours while crews apply the cape seal and allow the material to properly set. Parking will not be permitted within active work areas, and temporary traffic restrictions will be in place.
The full list of 2026 cape seal locations is as follows:
Front Street (Pine to Boardman)
Bay Street (M-72 to Spruce)
Sixth Street (Beaumont to Division)
Hall Street (W. Front to M-37/M-72/US-31)
Union Street (Garland to South Union Street Bridge and Eighth to Ninth)
Cass Street (North Cass St. Bridge to Washington and South Cass Street Bridge to Eighth)
Eighth Street (Union to Lake)
Railroad Avenue (Franklin to Eighth)
State Street (Railroad to Hope)
Hannah Avenue (Barlow to Bates)
Quail Ridge/Huron Hills (Eastern to M-37/Center)
Garfield Avenue Sidewalk Project
Construction will begin Tuesday to add sidewalk along South Garfield Avenue between Boon Street and the southern city limits (pictured). During construction, contractors will close the eastern northbound lane of South Garfield Avenue between Boon Street and the southern city limits. Northbound traffic will be maintained using a lane-shift traffic pattern. The project is anticipated to be substantially complete by November 5.
Hannah Avenue
Contractors will be detouring Hannah Avenue between Barlow Street and Grant Street starting Tuesday. The project is expected to be completed by the end of day Friday, October 2. The entrances to all businesses and residences will be maintained at all times. The sidewalk on the south side of the road will be closed, but the sidewalk on the north side of the road will remain open.
TART Trail
Segments of the Tart Trail will be closed starting Tuesday for surface repairs. The work will take place parallel to Railroad Avenue between Washington Street and State Street at F&M Park. The project is expected to be completed by the end of day Friday, September 11. Access to all homes and businesses will be maintained at all times.
All construction projects are weather dependent, with schedules subject to change.