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City staff lays out 8-year options for Covell Corridor, urges balanced approach as costs climb
Summary
City engineers presented an 8-year plan that would prioritize the Covell & Coltrane intersection but warned that reconstructing Covell to modern standards would consume years of CIP funds; staff compared asphalt and concrete lifecycle costs and asked the board for direction on phasing and funding priorities.
City staff presented options for an eight-year capital plan that would prioritize the Covell Corridor and the Covell & Coltrane intersection while balancing funding for the rest of Edmond’s street network.
"Approximate cost per lane mile for an asphalt road reconstruction right now is in the range of $1,000,000 to $1,500,000," said Brad, a city staff member, while describing current market conditions. "Whereas for concrete, we're looking at a range for the same length of $1,500,000 to $2,500,000." Staff emphasized that asphalt typically requires resurfacing every eight years, while concrete can provide more than 40 years of service under the right design.
Steve Lawrence, the city engineer, said one option would schedule the Covell & Coltrane intersection in year two of an eight-year plan, allowing time for design, right-of-way acquisition and utility relocation. "Starting construction… is kind of the fastest timeline," Lawrence said, noting the pre-construction work could push actual construction out roughly two to three years.
Board members pressed staff on phasing, the effect of rising construction inflation and how the plan will account for other city needs. One committee member criticized the current monthly information as insufficient for long-term prioritization: "I'm frankly confused by it," the member said, arguing the board needs a strategic planning session with fuller inputs before endorsing major commitments.
Staff said the plan will be a living document, updated annually and designed to maximize federal matching funds where possible. The city will produce an asset-management-informed draft of the eight-year plan and return to the board for direction on priorities and a recommended phasing approach.
Next steps: staff will prepare a draft eight-year plan with funding scenarios, phasing options and lifecycle cost comparisons for concrete versus asphalt and present that draft at a future meeting for board input.
