By Allen Dinkel, City Manager
Sometimes it is good to look back a few years to see where you were and how far we have come over the years. Often it makes us appreciate what really has been accomplished and then a plan is developed to move ahead.
No doubt there is always discussions about streets in this and most cities. Of course, we travel on these streets daily, and they are important. This week we reviewed data over the past 14 years of the amount of major street work Completed each year in the City. A couple of months ago the City Commission approved a bid of $1,582,283.25 for the 2024 Street Maintenance program. This amount will be paid to the contractor and then there is engineering costs for both design and inspection. The biggest portion of this project will be the mill and overlay of 6th Street from Washington Street to Eisenhower Street. Of course, this is a four-lane street which is showing much wear and tear, but also has a large amount of traffic each day. There are also a few blocks in other portions of the City that will be addressed as well but for the most part the major portion of funds are directed to 6th Street.
For the past three years the budget for the major street maintenance project has been more than $1.5 million each year. This followed a period of 6 years of being in the $1.1 million dollar area. However back in 2011 only $223,003.64 was spent for street maintenance and in 2012 that number dropped to $91,573.90. Simply the City had no money as that was during the major financial crisis. During those years it was a little concrete patching, and the City used a micro surfacing process that was simply a band aid fix. There was not much money available and that was all that could be afforded. Of course, that just pushed more work down the road. In 2013 the amount moved up to $430.773.25 and then that was doubled for 2014 and then in 2015 another $100,000 was added. I know we often mention the financial crisis, but as debt has been paid down, more funds are available. There is a reason why we have really focused on paying down the General Obligation debt.
The numbers above do not include projects where the City receives grant funds and only pay for a portion of the project. This would include Washington from the interstate north to 18th Street and then from there west on 18th to Jackson, and also from 6th and Washington east to the City limits. These are all Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT)connecting links. KDOT would love to turn these over to the City, but the long-term cost to the City would be great and is not a good financial option.
Then there are projects like the roundabout that will be replaced on Washington Street at the Interstate that will be done this summer where KDOT funds pay for a large portion of the costs. Other grant funded projects include work that was done on Spring Valley Road in the Ash Street area, the improvements at 18th and Jackson, and the Ash and Eishenhower intersection. Another big improvement was the Blue Jay Way project, the construction of Ray Way, and the Highway 18 roundabout. Some of this was paid with funding from the School district as part of the high school project and the City received $2 million from KDOT to defray the costs.
There are also City funds spent for pothole filling, but as much as is done by the Public Works Street staff, they are limited on time as there are other duties as well. No doubt more employees and equipment would be great, but that would mean more dollars.
Even though streets are vital and important, the City has to look at other projects such as parks or improvements to the baseball fields. I know some will disagree, but others think more should be spent for those projects. We always strive to find a balance on all of the projects.
The 6th Street KDOT bridge project is open and nearly completed. Yes the interstate project will be a pain and we are all inconvenienced, but to make improvements it has to occur.
I do get questions about a sidewalk that will be built along Spring Valley Road from Ash Street to Valley Drive. Again, a large portion will be paid with KDOT funds, but the project has been delayed since the City will now have to use eminent domain as one property owner has not agreed for both temporary and permanent easements for the project. The project will happen but has been delayed. KDOT plans to bid this project in December and hopefully we can stay on that time table.