More streets are on Taylor’s agenda for maintenance in the coming year.
On Aug. 11, Jim Gray, Taylor public works director, presented the third phase of the city’s level-up program during the Taylor City Council meeting. Approximately 28,709 feet or 5.437 miles of street segments will have level-up work performed.
“That’s a significant impact that this will provide us with,” said Gray.
Cost for the project is $506,427 and will be funded through the city’s general fund budget transportation utility fees (TUF) and municipal drainage utility system (MDUS) program.
The level-up program applies a small, thin coat of asphalt over streets. It is the city’s lowest level of maintenance with a 1/2-inch to full inch level of asphalt.
“It’s not as polished or finished as a hot mix program, but it does give us a much improved ride,” said Gray. “It’s anticipated to last anywhere from one to three years.”
The city’s two other street programs are mill-and-overlay and reconstruction. City staff estimated in a 2021 workshop that leveling up a street costs $10 per linear foot. Mill and overlay work is $35 per foot, and basic costs for reconstruction jump to $675 per linear foot.
“We can’t do very much of that because it’s just exceptionally expensive,” said Gray. City Manager Brian LaBorde offered another angle.
“Before there was a quality perspective, if we do a street, we want to do it right. What we were finding, the cost to do it right is quite high,” said LaBorde. “When we relooked at our TUF and MDUS fees, it was like it’s not going to generate enough. It can, but you’ll tie it up for years in a debt payment in really one project. It really needs to be looked at as a maintenance where folks can actually see the dollar being worked all the time, something being done for that fee.”
For more on the discussion as well as other action in regards to the city’s street maintenance program that will include work on Second and Fourth streets and Mallard Lane, visit https://taylortx.swagit. com/play/08122022-541.
