Street Conditions Decline

If Mission Viejo truly has more than $30 million in discretionary reserves, why is city hall not addressing the problem of deteriorating streets?

Community watchdogs asked that question last summer, and the city was at first in denial http://missionviejodispatch.com/?p=10760 . City Manager Dennis Wilberg indicated during the July 6 council meeting (Agenda Item No. 8) that streets were in good condition. Was he referring to a pavement report from 2006? Check the link: http://dms.cityofmissionviejo.org/sirepub/cache/2/kq4izo5502r2pqjlroovdy55/11032920313201011190981 8.PDF . As drivers can attest, this report is seriously outdated.

City Hall recently stated that residents are responsible for reporting damage to their streets because the staff has “no one” who inspects streets regularly on a citywide basis.

If residents are supposed to inspect their own streets, damage isn’t difficult to spot. First, the asphalt should be dark in color if it still has water-resistant qualities. If the color is gray to light gray, the weatherproofing has worn off, and the pavement is due for resealing. Neglect causes cracks that become wider, deeper and/or sprouting vegetation. Unsealed streets develop bigger problems when water, oil and other harmful substances seep into cracks.

When pavement isn’t properly maintained, the deterioration rate and repair costs increase exponential. While the city may be attempting to avoid spending money through deferred maintenance, the resulting expense obliterates temporary savings. Citywide, Mission Viejo is facing $85 million to $100 million in street repairs, and the lower figure came from a city staff member.

The city’s pavement report in 2006 emphasizes the importance of maintenance. Technical information shows a cost of $2.50 per sq. yd. to slurry seal a street in good to excellent condition. The cost rises to $14 to $25 per sq. yd. to overlay a street in fair to poor condition. Reconstruction costs run upwards of $66 per sq. yd. to repair very poor or failed streets. What happened between the 2006 “city philosophy of maintenance” and current times when so many streets have been allowed to decline?

Some residents who have called city hall about a specific pothole say they’re disappointed with the response. A city contractor will come out and fill the pothole but miss other damage, as if the work order consists only of repairing the pothole instead of addressing entire sections of damaged pavement. Pouring tar on cracks often looks as if a child created a spider web of lines. Such superficial treatments are unaesthetic and temporary.

The rainy season isn’t over, and each storm further exposes just how fragile many streets have become.