Roadway condition findings presented to city council
A pavement condition survey presented at the Lexington City Council meeting Monday night, May 10, highlighted the need to increase funding for this line item. In February, Steve Lander, director of Pavement Management with WithersRavenel, a construction engineering company, conducted the study with his team. It covered approximately 126 centerline miles of maintained asphalt pavement streets.
Chip Vanderzee, assistant city manager, stated that studies are recommended to be completed every two to three years. Lexington’s last one was completed in 2005.
Established by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, the Pavement Condition Index (PCI) is a numerical rating of the pavement condition based on the severity and type of distresses observed on the pavement surface. The PCI value of the pavement condition is represented by a numerical index between 0 and 100, 0 being the worst possible condition, 100 being the best. Lexington’s roads were given a score of 65, which is at the top of the threshold in the “poor” category.
“What’s happening in Lexington isn’t unusual,” Lander assured.
Currently, the city spends an average $350,000 on roadways yearly despite having $500,000 budgeted. The study revealed a backlog of $16.5 million of work that needs to be completed.
To address the issue, Lander recommended that the council increase the budget from $500,000 to anywhere from $1.2 to $2 million to maintain the current conditions. He also suggested that surveys are conducted between two and three years and utilize the software results.
Lander encouraged the city to broaden its toolbox by putting rejuvenators on the street and utilizing crack seal and micro patching. He noted the key is to keep water out of the base, which could possibly prevent having to replace all the pavement.
The lack of funding for roadwork was revisited during a budget amendment presentation about the Vehicle and Equipment Replacement Plan by John Overton, the city’s finance director. The plan anticipates the city will need to order four replacement golf carts for the Lexington Golf Club this month. The net cost to acquire the new fleet is $98,820. Financing will be done through an internal financing with the Electric Fund.
Councilors Garrett Holloway and Joe Watkins questioned spending nearly $100,000 on golf carts when the city’s streets were in poor condition. City Manager Terra Greene explained the money was a loan from the Electric Fund that would be repaid within four years. Greene said the only other option would be to borrow money from a bank.
Before the ordinance passed with a majority vote, Watkins asked how the city can make the golf course self-sustaining.
Earlier in the meeting, Ted Myers, treasurer of Davidson County Airport Authority, spoke to the council about future opportunities at the airport. The desire is to build eight corporate hangars. In his presentation, Myers stated that this expansion will bring in more traffic and tax revenue to the city and county. He shared there is a waitlist for hangar space.
A 100x100 hangar costs approximately $800,000 to $1.2 million. The authority would like to partner with the city for grants and funding.
“This is a very exciting time for all of us,” Myers expressed.
In additional news:
The council approved the zoning conversion of 5.73 acres between Young Dr. and E. Center St. Ext. from Suburban Neighborhood to Traditional Neighborhood. Invictus Development from Tampa, FL is planning an 84-unit complex on the site.
Multiple councilors stated they had received calls from concerned citizens who wanted to know when they would be allowed back inside of City Hall to pay electric bills. Greene provided no timeline for the option. Citizens are advised to pay at City Hall at a kiosk located outside of the main entrance.
The Washington Park Splash Pad opens May 22.
The Lexington Aquatic Park will open May 29.
