Asphalt Milling
As a BBB A+ accredited asphalt contractor with over 75 years of continuous operation across the Twin Cities Metro, Plehal Blacktopping, LLC brings the credentials and hands-on expertise that commercial asphalt milling demands. Milling — also called cold planing or pavement milling — is a precision process that removes the deteriorated top layer of existing asphalt to create a clean, properly graded surface ready for new overlay. Done right, it corrects grade problems, restores ADA compliance at curb transitions, and sets the stage for an overlay that bonds tightly and performs for decades. Done poorly, it creates more problems than it solves. Our crews have been executing commercial milling projects throughout Shakopee, MN since well before most contractors in the area were in business.
What Asphalt Milling Is
Asphalt milling uses a cold planer — a large machine with a rotating drum studded with carbide teeth — to grind away the top 1 to 4 inches of existing pavement. The milled material is loaded directly into trucks and hauled away or recycled into new asphalt mix. What remains is a textured, profiled surface that accepts a new asphalt layer with excellent bonding characteristics. Milling is the foundation of a proper mill-and-overlay rehabilitation project and is essential whenever grade corrections, cross-slope improvements, or ADA-compliant surface transitions are required.
Types of Milling Applications
- Full-Width Milling — Complete removal of the top asphalt layer across the entire pavement surface for uniform overlay preparation
- Partial-Depth Milling — Selective removal of 1–2 inches to correct grade deficiencies and eliminate rutting without disturbing lower courses
- Edge Milling — Precision milling along curbs, gutters, and transitions to achieve flush, water-shedding finished grades
- Ramp and Transition Milling — Milling at driveways, curb cuts, and ADA ramp transitions to achieve compliant grades
- Utility Cut Milling — Milling around utility patches and repairs to integrate them smoothly into the new overlay surface
Our Milling Process
Accurate milling starts with careful planning and grade analysis — not just running a machine across a lot. Our experienced operators work to a controlled depth profile, keeping the milled surface within tight tolerances that ensure the overlay installs correctly and drains properly.
- Grade and Elevation Analysis — We review existing grades, identify low spots, and plan the milling depth profile to achieve correct drainage slopes
- Cold Planer Setup — Equipment is calibrated for the correct depth and pass width before cutting begins
- Controlled Milling — Operators maintain precise depth control while tracking adjacent grades and transitions
- Millings Removal — Milled material is swept and loaded continuously to keep the work area clean
- Surface Preparation for Overlay — Milled surface is swept, blown clean, and tack-coated to prepare for the new asphalt layer
Benefits for Twin Cities Commercial Properties
Milling is a cost-effective step that dramatically improves the outcome of any overlay project. For commercial properties in Shakopee, Bloomington, Eden Prairie, and throughout the Twin Cities, these are the benefits that matter most:
- Grade Correction — Eliminates ponding areas and corrects cross-slopes that cause water to migrate toward buildings and foundations
- Flush Transitions — Milled edges at curbs and ramps eliminate trip hazards and satisfy ADA requirements
- Stronger Overlay Bond — A profiled milled surface accepts tack coat more uniformly than a worn, smooth surface
- Recycled Material — Millings can be recycled into new hot-mix asphalt, reducing material costs and landfill impact
- Preserved Curb Height — Milling prevents the buildup of asphalt at curb lines that occurs when repeated overlays are applied without milling
Why Choose Plehal Blacktopping
- Operating Continuously Since 1949 — More than 75 years of Twin Cities pavement experience backing every project
- BBB Accredited — A+ Rating — Recognized by the Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota since 1976
- Twin Cities’ Largest Asphalt Contractor — Equipment capacity to mill and immediately overlay large commercial lots without scheduling gaps
- Complete Mill-to-Overlay Service — We handle milling and overlay as a coordinated operation for better results and fewer handoffs
- Serving the Full Metro — Shakopee, Prior Lake, Savage, Chanhassen, Chaska, Minneapolis, and the entire Twin Cities area
Frequently Asked Questions
Is milling always necessary before an overlay?
Not always. If the existing surface is at the correct grade and the asphalt is in acceptable condition, a direct overlay without milling can work well. When curb heights are tight, grades are problematic, or ruts need correction, milling is the right approach. We’ll advise honestly based on what we see.
Related Services
Milling is most effective as part of a complete pavement rehabilitation sequence:
- Asphalt Overlay — The next step after milling — precision overlay installation for renewed surface performance
- Asphalt Paving — Full-depth reconstruction when milling reveals subbase issues requiring complete replacement
- Parking Lot Paving — Complete commercial lot construction and replacement
- Parking Lot Repair — Structural repairs that may be needed before milling and overlay proceed
Schedule Your Milling Evaluation
Plehal Blacktopping, LLC provides commercial asphalt milling throughout Shakopee, MN and the Twin Cities Metro area. With over seven decades of Twin Cities paving experience and equipment sized for commercial projects, we’re the contractor property managers and developers call first. Reach us at (952) 445-7676 or Contact to schedule your free pavement assessment.
