Public Works: 2011 road-repaving bond largely spent; pavement condition improving

Public Works Deputy Director John Thomas told the General Obligation Bond Oversight Committee that the 2011 Road Repaving and Street Safety Bond was approved by voters at $248,000,000 and has been expended or encumbered at roughly 82.66% ($206,700,000) with about $21,000,000 remaining largely for labor and final contract closeouts.

Thomas outlined the six categories funded by the bond and said 46 of 50 paving contracts are complete and 1,305 of a revised 1,423 blocks have been paved (about 92% of the revised goal). He said the Pavement Condition Index improved from about 65 to 69 during the bond program and that continued funding at current levels should hold the PCI near 70; reaching the longer‑term target of 84 would require a substantially larger commitment.

Committee members pressed Public Works on how change orders are reported, what drives cost increases and schedule shifts, and how the department coordinates with other agencies on joint projects. Thomas explained that some contracts are issued as “as‑needed” with unit pricing and subsequent task orders that register as change orders in the accounting system; he cited unforeseen underground conditions, client requests, and interagency work as primary sources of adjustments.

On coordination, Thomas noted that many street projects are joint efforts with the Public Utilities Commission and MTA (for sewer, water, and transit-related work) and that those arrangements extend schedules. He also said certain streetscape projects are finishing this year and that two paving contracts remain to be awarded (together roughly $7,000,000 of the remaining balance).

The presentation closed with Thomas offering to follow up on specific reporting questions and to provide clearer breakdowns of change‑order reporting on future slides.