Dear Editor, Recently, a letter to the editor expressed
dissatisfaction with the results of the City
’s pavement resurfacing and striping work on East Dunne Avenue
between Hill Road and 101.
Dear Editor,
Recently, a letter to the editor expressed dissatisfaction with the results of the City’s pavement resurfacing and striping work on East Dunne Avenue between Hill Road and 101.
The rough pavement surface noted by Mr. Killion in the letter is due in part to the specific type of work done, a “slurry seal,” and in part to improperly completed work. In particular, part of the pavement surface on East Dunne Avenue between Hill Road and Peppertree is too high and the City will require the contractor to plane it so that the finished surface is more even with the existing surface.
At the same time, the intent of resurfacing on East Dunne from Hill Road to U.S. 101 was to extend the life of that roadway, not to improve the smoothness of the pavement.
While this may seem counter-intuitive, different work is required depending on the objective. The contract called for removal and replacement of the failed areas of pavement and the placement of a slurry seal over all lanes. A slurry seal is a treatment designed to replace the oil and fine aggregates that make up the surface of the pavement — referred to as the “wearing surface.” It does not improve rideability (smoothness) as an asphalt overlay would.
The smoothness of the pavement would have been greatly improved with an asphalt overlay. However, structurally, the pavement was not in need of an overlay. The pavement repair and slurry seal will prolong the pavement’s life substantially.
Unfortunately, the city does not have sufficient funding to provide an asphalt overlay in order to improve the rideability of that portion of East Dunne. In fact, our citywide pavement rehabilitation needs are far greater than our resources.
Typically, gas taxes fund the city’s pavement resurfacing program. However, in recent years gas taxes have fallen short and this program has been supported heavily by Redevelopment Agency (RDA) funding.
An inventory and evaluation of the city’s roadways are done annually. Based on this evaluation, our pavement rehabilitation needs exceed $2 million annually over the next five years. However, RDA funding of $350,000 per year is all the funding available for pavement resurfacing. Because our needs far outstrip our resources, the city’s roadways will continue to decline in overall condition over the next five years.
Staff continues to pursue federal and state grants and other sources of funding and we are working together with the City Council to better meet the pavement rehabilitation needs of the city’s roadways.
Finally, regarding the questions about the lane markings at East Dunne and Condit, the right lane will be both a right turn and through lane.
For further questions about the resurfacing program, city residents should contact me at mo***@************ca.gov or 776-7333 x247.
Mori Struve, deputy director Public Works, operations
