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Arvada pavement manager and CAPA warn of severe backlog; estimated $20M yearly gap to meet resurfacing goals
Summary
City pavement staff told council Arvada maintains over 1,500 lane miles and replaced 389 ADA curb ramps this year; CAPA data put Arvada’s average PQI at about 44 (state average ~69) and estimated roughly $20 million more per year is needed to reach sustainable pavement targets.
Ben (pavement manager) told the council Arvada maintains more than 1,500 paved lane miles and described the city’s pavement management goals—resurface every 20 years, touch 5% of the network each year (about 75 lane miles) and expand preventive surface treatments.
Ben said the city resurfaced roughly 2% of the network this year (about 30 lane miles) at a cost of roughly $8 million and that increasing resurfacing to 5% would cost approximately $20 million annually. He said surface treatments covered about 9% of the network this year at a cost around $2 million, and that increasing concrete replacement along with resurfacing would raise the price further.
Mike Skinner, director of engineering for the Colorado Asphalt Pavement Association, told the council the city’s pavement condition is poor: Arvada’s average Pavement Quality Index is about 44 compared with a statewide average near 69, placing the city among the lowest‑performing networks in CAPA’s statewide dataset. Skinner described the city’s collector and local street backlogs (collectors ~40% below target PQI, locals ~60% below target) and said surface treatments alone cannot fix structurally failed roads.
Skinner and staff discussed options for raising funding, including voter‑approved sales tax measures with sunset provisions and a clearly defined project list to provide accountability. He cited recent local ballot successes in neighboring jurisdictions and said an infusion of capital is required to exit the backlog; CAPA’s illustrative estimate to align Arvada with sustainable program goals was roughly an additional $20 million per year.
Council members asked technical questions about emerging asphalt technologies and recycling. Staff said there have been incremental material improvements (SMA, polymer‑modified binders) but no breakthrough technology that would eliminate the need for capital investment; they noted a common practice limit of about 20% recycled asphalt in hot‑mix specifications but said quality control has improved.
Council discussion covered whether to reallocate internal funds, set a fixed line in the general fund, use upcoming urban renewal expiration proceeds (staff cited roughly $3 million expected) or pursue a ballot measure with sunset and project list requirements. No formal action was taken; staff and council agreed to continue public discussion and scenario planning.
