Governing Body Considers $2.99 Million Spend on Additional Immediate Road Needs
"The Ultimate Way to Prevent Potholes"
The City of Santa Fe recently completed $11 million worth of road rehabilitation projects throughout city, completely utilizing the 2017 Gas Tax Bond funds secured for this purpose. The 34 projects addressed a variety of road issues, and ranged in cost from $52,051 to $1,880,414, and took place citywide.
The Public Works Department is requesting the Governing Body to approve additional funding of $2,990,000 for road further rehabilitation needs across every District in the city.
“There are few basic services more fundamental than the condition of our streets and roads," says Mayor Alan Webber. "We’re been working hard to keep them in good shape. Now we’re about to put almost $3 million into this basic need. This really is where the rubber hits the road!”
Public Works Director Regina Wheeler says, “Residents use our roadways daily, and these types of projects are fundamental for our community. Re-paving is also the ultimate way to prevent potholes.”
Road repairs took place citywide as needed, and on these particular roadways (see map above, find details here):
- Avenida de Las Campanas
- Calle Lorca
- Galisteo Street
- Johnson Street
- Siler Road
- Camino Entrada
- Rufina Street
- Rufina Circle
- Zia Road West
- Agua Fria
- Sierra de Norte
- Old Airport Road
- Osage
- Palace
- Placita de Oro
- Hopewell
- Armenta
- Espinacitas
- East DeVargas St
- San Mateo
- Paseo de Sol
- Agua Fria
- Siringo
- Zafarano
- Camino de los Arroyos
- Richards Lane
- Alta Vista
- Paseo del Sol West
The recommended source of $2.99 million for the new road repair projects is the Fiscal Year 2021 Gross Receipts Tax revenue that the City realized as the recovery got underway in February, which exceeded the FY21 budgeted expenditures.
“Mayor Webber and the City Councilors have focused attention and funds to improve the conditions of Santa Fe streets,” says Director Wheeler. “This has included extra funding to address potholes, the gas tax bond, and now this allocation.”
While main and arterial streets are a priority for pavement and rehabilitation due to the number of people served by these streets, there are a number of residential roads that are seriously degraded; these will be rehabilitated with any savings from the arterial projects. This work is scheduled to begin after funding is approved by the Governing Body and is expected to be completed by the end of the 2021 paving season.
The Public Works and Utilities Committee heard a presentation on the funding request Monday evening (7/26/21). The matter will go before the