Dorr Township Treasurer Jim Martin has reported to the Dorr Township Board about plans for future road work after the Citizens’ Road Committee meeting Aug. 14.
The committee members have completed their review of all the paved roads in the township and checked the length and rated each road on potholes, broken edges, crack fill and crown pitch. Based on their observations, they also recommended how immediate the need for repaving.
Martin said, “The current census of paved roads is 37.75 miles and the cost of repaving all of them in a five- to seven-year cycle is estimated at $5.2 million at current costs. At the end of seven years the cycle starts again. By keeping on a schedule of maintaining and repairing roads, the cost of the second cycle would be only about $2.6 million to $3.2 million (at current prices) to keep the roads in good condition. Letting road fall into neglect increases the cost.”
He added that taking only those roads in the worst condition – the 3.85 miles of roads the committee deemed “needing repairs in one year” – the cost would be $512,000. However, for 2020, only about $200,000 to $250,000 will be available for repaving.
“The committee will have to decide which of those immediate needs can be done within the budget limits of the millage revenue,” he cautioned.
Already on the budget for next year is paving two new miles on 22nd Street connecting it to Wilson Avenue in Kent County, and a joint repaving project with Salem Township for the south two-mile portion of 24th Street.