San Diegans fed up with the sorry condition of city streets may soon get some relief.
The city expects to get an estimated $21 million in state bond money for the current fiscal year ending June 30 to spend on road improvements. Next fiscal year, the state is expected to allocate an additional $20 million to San Diego for similar projects.
The money is from Proposition 1B, the $19.9 billion Highway Safety, Traffic Reduction, Air Quality, and Port Security Bond Act of 2006.
Tuesday, the City Council will discuss authorizing Mayor Jerry Sanders to apply for the state bond funding, which is doled out based on population.
At the same time, Sanders is pushing for the city to forge ahead with a private bond sale to borrow $103 million to repair streets, libraries and other facilities. The council approved the bond, but City Attorney Michael Aguirre is challenging the decision.
That 10-year borrowing plan calls for taxpayers to make interest-only payments of about $3.5 million in each of the first two years. But the annual obligation could balloon to $15.5 million after payments for the principal kick in.
Proposition 1B money is different. The city doesn't have to pay it back.
The city's share of Proposition 1B money this fiscal year is proposed to be spent on streets citywide as well as projects in specific City Council districts.
The bulk would go toward resurfacing streets. Nearly $10.3 million would be spent to add 3 inches of asphalt on top of streets that are in particularly rough shape. The money would cover about 17 miles of work.
Proposed San Diego road improvements
by the numbers
San Diego anticipates getting a $21 million state allocation for road improvements for the current fiscal year ending June 30. Here is how most of the money will be spent:
$10.27 million: For resurfacing about 17 miles of streets with an asphalt overlay.
$5.8 million: For slurry sealing about 60 miles of streets with a thin protective coating.
$2.4 million: To improve the 43rd Street and Logan/National Avenue intersection to handle more traffic associated with additional development.
$1.6 million: To upgrade storm drains
$300,000: To retrofit the First Avenue Bridge over Maple Canyon
$200,000: For new guardrails, as needed
$200,000: For street lights where needed
SOURCE: City of San Diego
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Nearly $6 million would be spent to slurry seal streets that are in good shape. The thin protective coating applied to the surface extends the life of the streets. About 60 miles of streets would be coated.
The city has 2,800 miles of streets and alleys.
David Jarrell, deputy chief of public works, said streets are selected for resurfacing based on their conditions and traffic load.
“Streets that are the worst, that get the most traffic, are the ones that get the work done first,” he said.
The resurfacing may be done in the fall or next spring. Other projects to be funded by this fiscal year's allocation are scheduled to be done over the next few years.
The 43rd Street and Logan Avenue/National Avenue intersection would get a $2.4 million makeover so it can better handle traffic from increased development.
The historic First Avenue Bridge west of Balboa Park, a 1931 steel arch structure that spans Maple Canyon, would get a seismic retrofit. Abutments, expansion joints, bracing and rivets would be upgraded.
The remainder of the funding would be spent on street lights, guard rails, and storm drains.
Helen Gao: (619) 718-5181; helen.gao@uniontrib.com
