Brevard County staff warns ongoing funding needed to maintain 1,232 miles of paved roads

Brevard County public works staff told the Board of County Commissioners Tuesday that steady funding is required to sustain repairs across 1,232 centerline miles of roads and to address backlogs in bridges, drainage and facilities.

The county’s pavement condition index rose from 79 in 2019 to 86 in the most recent assessment, public works staff said, reflecting years of targeted resurfacing and preservation. ‘‘Good roads cost less,’’ public works staff summarized during the presentation, urging continued investment to avoid more expensive reconstruction.

The presentation outlined a five-year rolling plan that prioritizes preservation techniques — seal coats, reclamite and other surface treatments — so the county can extend pavement life at lower cost. Staff reported the county has completed 598 miles of resurfacing, 73 miles of reconstruction and 254 miles of preservation, for a total of 926 miles addressed to date. Since 2015 the county has invested roughly $115,500,000 in road work, staff said.

Why it matters: Reconstruction can be four times as costly as preservation, staff said. Staff estimated resurfacing and preservation needs will continue as a permanent, recurring obligation and warned that cutting resurfacing…