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Pavement assessment shows 71% of roads in good condition; consultants recommend preservation and a transportation utility fee
Summary
JUB consultants told Washington City Council that 71% of streets rate good/satisfactory in the 2025 PCI survey. They urged routine surface treatments and a long‑term funding plan — including consideration of a transportation utility fee — to avoid expensive reconstruction and a bond cycle.
Washington City officials received a detailed pavement condition presentation Dec. 10 from JUB consultants and Public Works Director Blake Fonsbeck that framed both the city’s current road condition and funding choices to preserve them.
Findings: JUB reported that 71% of Washington City road miles fall in the industry’s good or satisfactory PCI category. By contrast, about 21% of the network is in fair condition and requires closer attention. The consultants explained how cracking, rutting and fatigue (“alligatorâ€) distress develop and noted that once water penetrates the surface and weakens the foundation, pavement deterioration accelerates.
Treatment options and costs: The team described the preservation hierarchy — surface seal coats and crack sealing for good/satisfactory roads, mill‑and‑overlay for fair/poor segments, and full reconstruction only when necessary. Representative cost figures presented: seal coats about $0.16–$0.40 per square foot; mill‑and‑overlay $2–$3.50 per square foot; reconstructing a typical residential street averaged about $46,000 per mile per year if only reconstructed every 20–30 years. JUB emphasized that timely surface treatments can extend a road’s life from roughly 14 years up to 25–30 years, and that strategically using intermediate treatments can cut average annualized pavement costs by around 26–40%.
Funding options: Consultants warned about the ‘‘bond cycle†— use of bonds for immediate capital that can crowd out preventive maintenance when debt service consumes future road funds. They recommended Washington consider a transportation utility fee (TUF) or similar ongoing charge tied to roadway usage as a stable, scalable revenue source; such fees typically scale by trip generation and can align contributions with road use. Council asked staff for maps showing PCI by route, a cost‑per‑mile financial breakdown, and a comparison of contracting out treatments versus acquiring specialized slurry/chip equipment in‑house. Staff agreed to return in January with the draft financial model, map package, and options for phased implementation.
