Monday, July 7, 2014

Life of the Road vs the Life of the Bond

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A new, well built, asphalt road should last at least 15 years before a major rehabilitation or full depth reconstruction is needed. However, surface treatments or thin overlays every 7-10 years can extend that to 20 years between major work. It is much cheaper to keep a good road in good repair than it is to rebuild a poor road.  Engineering.com

Because of advancements in pavement technologies, asphalt has an extremely long lifespan. In fact, the average Lifespan of Asphalt pavement is 15-20 years with regular, preventative maintenance.
Lifespan of Asphalt
  1. 3-5 Years: In the first 5 years, your asphalt will begin to show the first signs of cracking. If dealt with in a timely manner, these cracks will not develop into any major problems.
  2. 5-7 Years: Between 5-7 years, your asphalt will most likely need its first patch.
  3. 15-20 Years: With regular, preventative maintenance, your asphalt pavement should last 15-20 years.
Reliable Contracting

So, when I say the life of the bond (which is for 30 plus years) will be longer than the life of the road, it is a fact. We already know that the city never maintains anything. So, you have to wonder what this cash grab is really all about.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

One thing that I do know, I am 58 so this bond will out live me. Taxes on my property will go on after I am dead.

Anonymous said...

I am not going to vote for something that will keep me in debt like that. If it is voted in, I hope it costs all those mean people a bundle for decades to come. They will deserve every bit of the debt. We need nice roads and I want them to dig deep into their pockets and pay for it all.

Weetha Peebull said...

I love how they say it's an 'investment' when I see it more like taking ALL your money Now and in the future and putting it all on the roulette wheel like an addicted gambler! We ALREADY INVESTED - it's called taxes and what did you do w/THAT MONEY? MPO suggests bike paths and trolleys and WE NEED ROADS! Grant Grant Grant! Shun the sob!

Anonymous said...

I have heard that the homeowners with the most expensive homes (ie: waterfront, etc) are in favor of the project and ergo, know that they will be paying the most money of anyone.
Lynn, can u ascribe to that a nefarious purpose?
I realize it's a minority, but, you haven't mentioned that group at all and I wonder if you know their thoughts...

Lynn Anderson said...

Well, that sounds like a good LW marketing plan to me--spread the word that those who will be paying the most are FOR it. Time will tell. Personally, we need road repairs and if the wealthy folk want to pay to restructure 30% of the city--and that's all that is happening here for a bunch of people to get wealthy), so be it. They pay; we don't or pay little, and some of the worst roads will be repaved. Of course, developers will be given a gift at the park of commerce. That's almost criminal and certainly not a democratic principle--sounds like socialism. The serfs will pay and the wealthy will play. Taking one dime from a poor person or anyone in order to launch this private development is, well, I don't have a word for it frankly. It goes with Obama's famous stupid statement, "If you’ve got a business -- you didn’t build that. Somebody else made that happen." And this commission is behind that philosophy.