The Phoenix Street Transportation Department recently celebrated 200 miles of cool pavement applied to Phoenix streets since launching the program in 2020.

The city of Phoenix has integrated reflective, sealcoat treatments which are applied on top of existing asphalt pavement.

This innovative approach helps lower surface temperatures by up to 12 degrees Fahrenheit and reflects a higher portion of the sunlight that hits it, absorbing less heat. Because of this higher reflection, the coating has the potential to offset rising nighttime temperatures in the region.

“Reaching 200 miles of cool pavement is a major step forward for Phoenix,” stated Street Transportation Engineering Manager Ryans Stevens in a news release. “This technology lets us use existing streets to help reduce surface temperatures, improve comfort in our neighborhoods, and build a more resilient city. It’s exciting to see engineering solutions make a real, measurable impact for our residents.”

By cooling roads, Phoenix aims to chip away at the urban heat‑island effect making streets, neighborhoods and evening air just a bit cooler.

To learn more about the city's Cool Pavement Program, visit: Phoenix.gov/streets/coolpavement.

Editor's note: The above was republished from a city of Phoenix news release.