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Council and staff debate resurfacing, reconstruction and narrower lane widths to cut future costs
Summary
Staff explained the borough's five-year paving cycle and project ratings (PCI). Council members pressed staff to consider narrowing lane widths during reconstruction to reduce future paving area and lifetime costs.
Staff described the resurfacing and reconstruction plans, saying the borough maintains a five-year paving cycle and rates streets using a Pavement Condition Index (PCI). Robbins said about a dozen–14 streets were on the resurfacing list and that rankings can change after winter damage; reconstruction requires utility replacement, curb work and ADA ramps.
"We have a 5 year paving cycle," Robbins said, stressing that deferred maintenance can lead to much higher costs. Councilmember Hayes asked whether the borough has a standard lane width and whether narrower lanes might reduce long-term paving area. Hayes argued that reducing lane width from 12 feet to 11 feet across the borough could save substantial repaving costs over time and also function as traffic calming.
Robbins replied that the borough applies its complete-streets policy and checklist when deciding roadway geometry and that lane-width changes are considered when safety and other factors justify them. Council members also asked about project tracking and whether 2025 actuals were available; staff pointed to a live project-management dashboard that will show completion and, when finalized, cost actuals for 2025 projects.
Council directed staff to provide more information about cost variances and the dashboard updates as they move toward decisions about potential deferrals and appropriations for the 2026 budget.
