The City of Vancouver's annual Pavement Management Program is getting a much needed boost this year. The city is investing an additional $3.6 million, about 60 percent more than last year, in paving, microsurfacing, and sealing treatments for streets throughout Vancouver.
The city adopted a long-term Street Funding Strategy in 2015 to address pavement conditions and improve the overall street system for all users. This is the first full year of that funding, which ramps up over time. Residents will see on-the-street, physical results this summer: 21 lane miles will be paved, a 30 percent increase over 2016; and 115 lane miles will be preserved, a nearly 60 percent increase over 2016.
This year's pavement program also includes work on some neighborhood streets that are in poor condition and are not good candidates for preservation treatments. These streets will be rehabilitated, which involves milling or pulverizing existing pavement, compacting that material, and paving with asphalt over the top. In addition, about three times as many curb ramps will be upgraded this year, as compared to last year, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, which requires ramp upgrades when major street alterations are made.
Overall, Vancouver's 2017 Pavement Management Program will put nearly $9.87 million to work, extending and improving the life of the streets, protecting the public's infrastructure investment, and providing the most efficient use of available funding. In addition to the Street Funding Strategy revenues, the program is supported through previously collected local taxes, including property, sales, and real estate excise taxes.
The actual street work - resurfacing, preserving and rehabilitation treatments - will occur from July to September. However, advance preparations are already underway with tree trimming, pavement patching, and ADA ramp improvements, where required. During construction, drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians should be prepared for delays, watch for traffic or lane changes, and proceed slowly in the construction zone. Restriping of lanes and replacement of other pavement markings, where needed, will follow after the surface work is completed.
The City of Vancouver has more than 1,810 lanes miles of streets. Each year, paved streets are evaluated to determine the most cost-effective methods to extend pavement life and provide better driving conditions. For details about the 2017 Pavement Management Program, including descriptions of the coming work, a list of streets and a map showing all treatments, including neighborhood streets, please visit the Pavement Management webpage: www.cityofvancouver.us/pavement.
Source: City of Vancouver