Public works: Farmers Branch—average pavement condition above national benchmark; B Street prioritized, county partnership could cut costs
Loading...
Summary
Staff presented the citywide pavement-condition index (PCI), showing Farmers Branch at an average PCI of 79 versus a national average of about 70; B Street and other low-scoring corridors were identified for attention and a Dallas County labor partnership could save roughly 40% on reconstruction labor costs.
Farmers Branch Public Works presented a citywide pavement-condition assessment at the Oct. 21 council meeting that assigns a PCI score to every segment of the street network and will guide a data-driven five-year pavement-treatment program.
Director Ray Solvares said the city scanned all roadways and alleys using pavement-scanning technology and produced segment-level PCI scores from 0 (failed) to 100 (excellent). Solvares said the citywide average PCI is 79—above the national average of about 70—and the results will be used to prioritize maintenance and reconstruction treatments so the city spends funds where they extend pavement life most effectively.
The presentation explained typical PCI management practice: preventive treatments in the "sweet spot" of a pavement's life can extend useful life at lower cost than late-stage reconstruction. Solvares urged council to consider utility-prioritization data due in January before finalizing a five-year overlay and reconstruction schedule so the city avoids redundant trenching.
Staff identified specific segments with urgent needs, including B Street, which council members asked be prioritized. Solvares said Dallas County has offered to partner on some street rehabilitations; that arrangement would have the county provide labor while the city supplies materials, which staff estimates could reduce overall cost by about 40 percent. The city plans a phased roll-out of projects and will return with an updated overlay/prioritization once utility coordination is complete.
Solvares said the city will provide more detailed segment-level maps by district and expects to re-run the pavement scan periodically to monitor changes and refine budgeting.
