We have read about and experienced the pothole problems in the City of Tucson. Simply put, the City has underfunded its pavement management program for years. The result: Broken roads and potholes galore. PIMA County, too, has long standing pothole problems! Pressure to do something is coming from frustrated residents.
What about Oro Valley? Do we have a pothole problem in our future?
About 5 years ago, the Oro Valley “Pavement Preservation” program was discussed by the Town Engineer Civalier and Operations Manager Trenary (Source: February 26, 2007 Finance and Bond Committee meeting). At that time, Mr. Civalier stated that, at that time, $14 - 15 Million was needed in order to get to the point where our streets were maintainable. After that, about $2.5 million would be required each year to maintain our streets.
So, when we look at the 2012-13 Oro Valley Town Budget, a budget that include surface treatment spending of $1.2 million, we wonder: Why so little?
We recall the discussion five years ago: Mr. Lamm of Finance and Bond Committee suggested borrowing $15 Million over a period of years to get the roadways up to a stabilization point where we could maintain them. That never happened. The funds were never acquired. The roads were not “stabilized”.
Since that time, Oro Valley has spent far less than the $2.5 million per year; and certainly never the $15 million one-time “catch-up” amount.
This is how the town views its current program:
“The budget includes more than $1 million for the pavement preservation program in the Highway Fund, which maintains the current condition of our streets and roads. Although the funding level is slightly below 2011/2012 funding, the bids have been favorable, and the amount of maintenance expected to be delivered remains at a level which will not allow the infrastructure to deteriorate.” (Source: Oro Valley 2012-2013 Town Budget)We wonder: What changed in the past five years that caused the town to be able to fund pavement preservation at levels that are far less than those recommended by the town engineer and the town’s finance and bond committee?
Is it time for Mr. Civalier to release an update to our “Pavement Preservation” situation? Are we underfunding our pavement preservation requirements. Is there a pothole in our future?
John Musolf
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6 comments:
Magee Road from LaCanada to Oracle Road should quality for Federal Disaster Relief!
I do not believe that the Town staff needs for it's citizens, especially those with absolutely no street surface management in their background (as far as I know), to be creating work for them. We have the best streets in the Tucson metropolitan area and for that we should be writing accolades to Mr. Civalier, not harassing him.
Roads are more important than sending town government officials to boondoggles in San Diego.
More important than all the hanger-on organizations which suck up tax dollars and give us little or no return.
I submit a well maintained road system would attract more business than some "convention" organization.
Sell Steam Pump ranch to Wal-Mar/et alt and use the money for our roads!!
One thing that has changed over the past five years is that construction costs have plummeted. Bids for RTA road projects have been 20% below estimates overall and have been as low as almost 30%.
That said, the Tucson example is very important - like your house or car it is cheaper to maintain than to replace. An ongoing street maintenance program as was recommended will be much cheaper in the long run.
OVOT...
In your opinion "We have the best streets in the Tucson metropolitan area..." Oro Valley's streets are not as old as other streets in the area. I am certain that even you would like our streets to remain the best.
Cares....I would.
What's your point?
My point was that it is not necessary for the moose to question the ability of the town staff to maintain our roads. They have a proven track record.
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