El Campo’s roads are getting a major upgrade thanks to a machine called the Asphalt Zipper. Since ’18, it’s helped Public Works crews recycle old asphalt into stronger streets, saving the city around $3.8 million. This year, Cotton, Corn, Rice, Spruce, August, and Bruns streets are being rebuilt. The machine grinds up failing roads, mixes the material with durable trap rock, and lays it back down. So far, El Campo has rebuilt nearly six miles of roadway—doing the work in-house instead of paying outside contractors.