The City of Montesano is planning to take a piece-by-piece approach to replacing Spruce Avenue.
As is constantly noted during discussions about Montesano streets projects and funding, Spruce Avenue is in a state of disrepair. While some cost-effective solutions (like overlaying a new layer of asphalt) exist for other streets, Spruce Avenue’s condition is so poor that the street must been torn up and completely replaced.
Another barrier to repairs for Spruce Avenue is a lack of grant funding through other agencies. The street, according to city officials, would have a difficult time receiving grant funding for repairs. According to city Chief Financial Officer Doug Streeter, Spruce Avenue does not connect to state highways and therefor “doesn’t score very well in a very competitive process.”
For now, the city has opted to replace the street 50 feet at a time over a course of several years. The first replacement on Spruce Avenue beginning at Church Street was set to begin this week, however rain could delay the start date. Tearing out the street and pouring new concrete should take about a week, but another week is necessary for the concrete to cure. That section of Spruce Avenue likely will be closed for two weeks.
The project was timed to be undertaken while the city also tackled storm drain work in the same section. Additionally, an adjacent property owner had a paving project in an alley connecting them to that section of the road, which also made for ideal timing.
Fixing the street in 50-foot increments using city crew labor will result in significant savings to the city. A similar 50-foot project, if the city had gone out to bid for a contractor, would cost some $75,000, Mayor Vini Samuel noted during the Sept. 12 city council meeting. Using city crews, the project will cost less than $10,000.
The first 50 feet is somewhat of a test run, Samuel said during the Sept. 12 city council meeting. The city will track the total cost and strain placed on the public works department and use the information as they plan to replace additional sections of the street moving forward.
