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Public Works says SB1 funds bolster paving plans; maintenance gaps remain for landscaping and trees
Summary
Public Works finance manager Bruce Robertson said recent state gas tax (SB1/RMRA) revenue adds roughly $23 million in annual paving funds and keeps the city on track for a PCI target of 75 by 2021; the department warned of a roughly $1 million shortfall in landscape maintenance and described a three‑year lag before newly planted trees become eligible for tree maintenance funding.
San Francisco Public Works outlined a multi‑year pavement and landscaping strategy and the department’s reliance on a mix of local and state funding to hit pavement condition targets.
Finance manager Bruce Robertson said the department maintains 900 miles of streets and uses a pavement condition index (PCI) target of 75 (regionally established) as the guiding metric. He credited recent Senate Bill 1 (gas tax/RMRA) revenues with adding approximately $23 million to the paving program in the budget year, helping maintain funding without increasing general fund reliance.
Robertson described the department’s strategy of prioritizing "low‑hanging fruit" to stretch dollars (grind‑and‑pave treatments), coordinating five‑year block‑level plans with MTA and PUC projects to avoid repeated street excavations, and balancing equity and project readiness. He warned that a successful repeal effort against SB1 could remove roughly $23 million and sharply reduce PCI performance.
On landscaping, Public Works said tree establishment funding is increasing but that the tree maintenance fund only becomes eligible to maintain a planted tree after a three‑year establishment period, creating a staggered future draw on maintenance funds. The department estimated a current landscape maintenance shortfall of about $1 million and said it is using nonprofit partners and grants to fill gaps while seeking long‑term solutions.
Supervisors asked for PCI breakdowns by district and clarification about moratorium‑grade resurfacing lifespans; Robertson offered to provide additional data after the hearing. The committee did not make immediate funding decisions but noted the importance of SB1 funding to capital pavement plans.
