The End is Near - of Failed Roads

While the condition of roads is usually a hot, or at least warm, topic in Lafayette there wasn't a huge turnout at a recent Planning Commission meeting to discuss the multi-year plan, which is addressed biannually, for asphalt maintenance and upgrades to be completed between 2015 and 2019. "Staff is projecting that by the end of this five-year cycle, all failed roads in Lafayette will have been repaired except for the 20 streets that received a stopgap cape seal treatment last year," wrote city engineer Tony Coe in a staff report for the April 7 meeting.

The Five-Year Capital Improvement Program will prioritize how the city spends money on public infrastructure renewal and improvements within Lafayette. The plan has already been vetted by the Capital Projects Assessment Committee and the Circulation Committee; this pit stop at the Planning Commission was the last opportunity for feedback prior to being presented to the City Council for final approval in May.

There are several funding sources that will pay for the capital improvements scheduled to be made during this 5-year cycle, including gas tax revenue, General Plan money, and Measure J sales tax.

Coe said the plan focuses on the City Council's highest priority item - failed roads. There had been a total of over 120 failed roads in Lafayette, but the city is "now down to 61 failed streets as of January of this year."

That the backlog of failed roads is finally being addressed is reason to celebrate. "Staff is excited about that prospect," said Coe. "We've been working on this issue a long time." To reach that milestone, an additional $1.2 million more is requested for the Capital Improvement Program spread over the next five years, that is over and above the historical $1 million per year funding.

In addition to city-provided revenue for road repair, grant programs will provide money for several transportation projects within the 5-year cycle. Springhill and Happy Valley elementary schools will receive revenue to enhance safe routes to school by providing better pedestrian and bike access, via new walking paths in the public right of way and pathway improvements. The intersection of Pleasant Hill Road and Olympic Boulevard will see a refurbishment, and options are being looked at for Reliez Station Road and Olympic Boulevard.

The Capital Improvement Plan has to be found consistent with the General Plan before it can be adopted by the City Council and funded by the municipal budget. The Planning Commission did just that and approved the 5-year plan with minimal discussion. It may be a bit premature at this moment, but residents can say goodbye to potholes in the future.



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