Wheat Ridge presents 2025 CIP overview and pavement‑management plan; citywide PCI rated 66

Wheat Ridge City staff presented an informational overview of the 2025 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and a new pavement management program at the Jan. 6 study session, reporting a citywide Pavement Condition Index (PCI) of 66 and outlining a six‑zone delivery approach and funding needs to preserve the street network.

Maria, the city’s public works director, introduced the presentation and said public‑works staff consolidated CIP program management under the department in 2024 and have a dedicated CIP team to deliver projects. Kent Kisleman, the city’s CIP program manager, led the pavement‑management and project briefing.

Why it matters: Staff argued that investing in preventative maintenance on streets in good or fair condition is more cost‑effective than delaying repairs until failure, and that a data‑driven approach and better coordination with utilities will reduce repeated street cuts and overall cost.

Key findings and recommendations

- Condition rating: Staff reported the city’s overall PCI is 66 on a 0–100 scale (0 = failed, 100 = like‑new). The city’s network totals just over 130 miles of streets.

- Costs and targets: StreetLogics modelling estimated it would cost roughly $18.8 million to bring all segments with PCI ≤ 55 up to acceptable condition via extensive treatments (mill and overlay). Staff proposed a preventative maintenance strategy aimed at holding the overall PCI near 65, which they estimate would require about $3 million annually; raising the target PCI to 70 would require additional funding.

- Six‑zone program: Staff described a six‑zone rotation for concrete and pavement work; 2024 focused on Zone 1 and 2025 will emphasize Zone 2. Not every street in a zone will receive the same treatment — staff will apply corrective treatment where needed and preventative treatments such as slurry seals where appropriate.

- Project highlights: Staff summarized major 2025 projects including traffic studies (two projects), Clear Creek Bus Terminal design (over 30% design), Youngfield scour project (scheduled for a three‑week construction window starting Jan. 20), 37th Avenue bike lanes (in CDOT final review), Ward Station pedestrian bridge/trail improvements (final design), a rec‑center culvert repair (bids due Jan. 16), Wadsworth corridor finishing work (lighting, landscaping, medians), Wadsworth Path design, and the 38th Avenue refresh (pavement, curb, gutter, sidewalk, signal and lighting work). Staff said the listed projects total just over $33 million.

- Data collection: A vendor‑mounted vehicle collected segment‑level pavement distress data. Staff described the PCI as an ASTM‑based method (originally developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) and said the data supports segment‑by‑segment treatment decisions.

- Coordination and communication: Staff emphasized coordination with utilities (Xcel Energy, telecommunications providers, several water and sanitation districts, Denver Water and others) to avoid paving streets that utilities will cut up later. Staff proposed improved public communications by zone so residents know when their neighborhood is scheduled for work.

Council questions and clarifications

Councilors asked about enforcement of cuts to newly paved streets, whether the vendor can collect sidewalk condition data, how manhole and valve elevations are handled, and how the program will be funded long‑term. Maria said the city recently strengthened right‑of‑way permitting and repair standards and intends to enforce more robust trench repair requirements. Staff said sidewalk condition data collection by the vendor was possible but costly; the city plans to continue in‑house sidewalk inspections this year and is exploring cost‑effective options for future cycles.

Funding and schedule

Staff presented current funding allocations primarily drawn from the city’s 2J funds for preventative maintenance in 2025 and noted CIP plans beyond 2025 are placeholders that will be updated as future budgets are adopted. The presented multi‑year plan showed $3 million for pavement management in 2025, lower amounts in near‑term out years with the expectation of adjusting allocations as future CIP budgets are finalized.

Next steps and staff direction

- Staff will proceed with the six‑zone approach in 2025, advance the listed design and construction projects, coordinate schedules with utility providers and districts, and pursue public communications by zone.

Ending

Council heard the briefing as an informational item; staff did not request immediate council action beyond continued coordination and budget planning. Several councilors praised the program and asked staff to make mapping and cost information available to the public so residents can see when their streets are scheduled and understand estimated costs per block or linear foot.