Richland City Council is prioritizing pavement preservation in its ongoing transportation improvement efforts, as highlighted in a recent meeting. Council members discussed the importance of maintaining the city's roads to avoid costly full reconstructions in the future.

The city has established a transportation benefit district aimed at funding these essential improvements, focusing on fixing roads at the right time. This proactive approach is designed to stretch limited budgets and ensure that good roads remain in good condition, rather than waiting for them to deteriorate.

Currently, Richland maintains approximately 650 center lane miles of roadway. The council relies on the Pavement Condition Index (PCI), a rating system developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, to assess road conditions. The PCI scores streets from 0 to 100 based on various distress factors, with the council aiming to maintain a target range of 70 to 75, which is considered the low end of "good."

To sustain this target across the city's entire network, an annual investment of about $4 million is necessary. This funding will allow the city to treat more miles of road earlier, ensuring better ride quality and safety for residents while avoiding the higher costs associated with full road rebuilds.

The discussions underscore the council's commitment to effective infrastructure management, emphasizing the need for timely investments in road maintenance to benefit Richland residents.