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Jourdanton city streets will begin to see some improvements as Jourdanton City Manager Bobby Martinez announces a Pilot Program to repair streets damaged with potholes. City will use funds budgeted for street repairs and begin with $25,000. DANIEL ELIZONDO | PLEASANTON EXPRESS
Jourdanton city streets will be getting a temporary fix after city council approved of an agreement on Mon., May 15 for emergency asphalt roadway maintenance improvements and repairs.
The agreement comes with a stipulation and cannot exceed $25,000 leaving council members asking the question – what streets will get the much needed repairs?
Jourdanton City Manager Bobby Martinez is calling this a “Pilot Project” for asphalt pothole repairs, which will be a short term plan, and although this project cannot exceed $25,000, the city has another $150,000 budgeted that could be used for repairs in a second phase mid-term plan.
The long term plan will require financial strategies in an effort to gain favorable bond ratings and interest rates prior to seeking approval of a street bond program.
“Repairing potholes is kind of like a band-aid,” Martinez said. “It just looks good for a little while and it wears off. We need to get to the point where we’ve gotten our financial house in order and continue to implement our financial management strategies that we’re trying to put in place so that when we do go to the bank, we have a nice looking suit and we will be able to get a favorable bond rating, when the bond rates are a little bit more favorable choice.”
The city has advertised for requests for proposals (RFP) for the pilot program to hire contractors for the work.
Martinez said the city adopted a Master Plan in 1991 identifying streets in Jourdanton as “substandard street conditions that continue to deteriorate.”
According to Martinez, the deterioration is caused by lack of curb and gutter to provide adequate drainage; an exceptional increase in drought-related water line breaks which damage existing street conditions; years of neglected street maintenance; and inadequate equipment and properly trained staff to properly maintain and repair major potholes.
Martinez and councilmembers will discuss the strategy and study the roadways most needed to begin the first phase project.
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