Officials discuss relative merits of asphalt, concrete

Commenting on this year's project to resurface Norris Avenue with asphalt, Councilman Lonnie Anderson said that although asphalt is less expensive than concrete, it doesn't hold up as long.

Public Works Director Kyle Potthoff agreed, and said asphalt has about 14 years of service when used on a main thoroughfare, but when used on side streets, coupled with armor coating, it can last considerably longer -- about 25 years.

By using asphalt now on Norris, funds can be accumulate over the next 10-12 years so that Norris Avenue can be completely resurfaced with concrete sometime in the future.

Wolford included in the budget for future street improvements a breakdown of accumulated funds, derived from federal funding, city sales tax revenue and property taxes,

Beginning in 2009, accumulated funds are estimated at $88,000, rising to $490,000 by 2018.

In response to a question from the audience, Potthoff agreed that the cracks on the "Reservation" neighborhood needed to be repaired and that crack sealing is an expensive process. It costs about $10,000 to treat about four blocks, for example, he said.

Cutting those areas out and replacing with strips of concrete has been considered, Wolford said, but that was not cost effective, as studies have shown that the concrete and asphalt separate on both sides, creating a bigger problem.

But streets on the "Reservation" are being looked at for future improvements, Wolford said, although they are not listed on the six-year plan for this year.

Other street improvements scheduled in the future, where streets will be resurfaced with asphalt, include:

* 2010 -- West M, from Westridge to West 10th

* 2010 -- East H, from 11th street to 1,050 feet east

* 2011 -- F, G, H, I and Sunset from Westridge to West Seventh, D Street from West Fifth to one half block west

* 2012 -- East H, from Norris to East 11th

* 2013 -- West Fifth, from B Street to J Street

* 2013 -- Norris Avenue, from Park Avenue to north city limits.