Street, Sidewalks, Signals & Lighting

The Street Maintenance division maintains street signs, streetlights, paved roadways, City facility parking lots, sidewalk repair/ restoration, and pavement markings in accordance with the Clean & Safe Streets program and State Code requirements.  The division also provides debris and graffiti removal within City right-of-way and property, as well as underground utility locate services for the City’s underground utilities (water, sewer, storm, and traffic communication fiber) to protect against construction damage to these underground assets. 

Do you have a street maintenance issue to report?  Please Submit a Service Request to let us know!

LED Streetlight Conversions

The City owns and operates a total of 5,200 lights, of which approximately 4,400 are streetlights and 800 are parklights. In January 2022, the Public Works Department with support from ENGIE Services U.S. (ENGIE) completed the conversion of streetlights and parklights from outdated fixtures to energy efficient Light Emitting Diode (LED) lamps and control systems. LED fixtures have many advantages over traditional street lights. For example, they use far less energy and are much more reliable, requiring little maintenance for many years. Efficient lighting upgrades are part of the Milpitas Smart City Infrastructure Program designed to improve citywide services, conserve and generate clean energy, and reduce operations and maintenance expenses. Learn more by visiting the Milpitas Smart City webpage.

Traffic Signals

Traffic signals are used to improve safety and facilitate the efficient movement of vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians on city streets when appropriate. To submit a service request, please provide the pole number. They are most always on the poles near eye level and start with an M followed by digits. 

Street Signs

The Sign Shop, a section the the Streets Division, installs and maintains traffic signs within the City limits. The crew also fabricates new signs for use all over the City. The Sign Shop utilizes aluminum precut shapes and prepares them with either reflective or non-reflective sheeting. The letters and/or symbols are computer-generated onto transfer sheeting and placed on the sign.

The crew also performs periodic sign inspections, ensuring that regulatory and directional signs are installed at standard heights, as required in the Uniform Traffic Control Manual. Additionally, this crew straightens, replaces, and cleans the signs, posts, and hardware when necessary.

Speed Bumps

If you would like to request speed bumps, please contact the City Traffic Engineer, Steve Chan at 408-586-3324 or by e-mail, to request a traffic study. Public Works only installs these new items following the direction of the Traffic Engineer.

Report Issues on State or County Roads

For issues along 680, 880, 237, or the freeway on/off ramps, please contact Caltrans District 4 office at 510-286-4444 or submit an online service request.  
For issues on Montague Expressway please contact Santa Clara County Roads and Airports at 408-494-2750 or submit an online service request.