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City releases new pavement-condition index: average PCI 71 and $94 million estimated to restore network
Summary
West Palm Beach staff presented a new pavement condition index (PCI) on March 10 showing an average citywide PCI of 71 (national average ~65). The assessment measured about 260 center-lane miles and found most pavement in fair to good condition; staff estimated $94 million would be required to return the full network to satisfactory condition
City staff on Monday presented a newly completed pavement-condition index (PCI) for West Palm Beach, reporting a citywide average PCI of 71 and outlining a multi-year prioritization and funding approach for resurfacing and reconstruction.
Paul Breck introduced the item and Vladimir Jeanneau, capital improvement plan manager, summarized methodology and findings. The vendor used automated imaging and ride-quality data along roughly 260 center-lane miles to measure distresses including rutting, alligator cracking, longitudinal and transverse cracking, patching and bleeding. The assessment classified road segments into condition categories scored 0 (failed) to 100 (like new).
Key findings and figures: the city—s average PCI was 71; roughly 25 percent of lane miles were in "very good" condition, about 34 percent in "satisfactory," 29 percent in "fair" and roughly 7 percent in the combined "poor/serious" categories. Staff said a full program to bring the entire network to a satisfactory PCI would cost on the order of $94 million.
Staff recommended using the PCI as the primary prioritization tool while also layering other CIP criteria such as life-safety considerations, coordination with utility projects and grant opportunities. The presentation listed a set of near-term paving projects that staff intends to move forward on, and staff said they would combine sales-tax proceeds, gas-tax revenue and existing budget amounts to fund the multi-year plan.
Budget and timing: staff said current budgeted general-fund and gas-tax allocations provide roughly $4.4 million now, and that an additional $11 million in sales-tax revenue will be programmed toward paving in the coming year. The presentation also forecast approximately $10 million in gas-tax receipts for 2026—2029 and said the PCI program will be refreshed on about a three-year cadence going forward.
Commissioners asked about trade-offs between mill-and-overlay treatments and full-depth reconstruction (which is significantly more expensive) and about ensuring newly paved roads receive durable workmanship. Assistant City Administrator Armando Fontan noted typical contractor warranty periods and the city—s ability to require repairs when workmanship is deficient.
Staff said sidewalk repair is tracked separately and that the city has allocated roughly $1.4 million for sidewalk work this fiscal year, with additional annual sidewalk funding on top of paving allocations.
Next steps: staff will publish the interactive PCI map for public access and will bring CIP-level funding scenarios to upcoming budget work sessions. Staff also agreed to inspect recently repaved roads in Roosevelt Estates after commissioners raised concerns about early deterioration.
