Elgin street repair becoming a priority

As in many towns, gaping potholes have opened up on Elgin streets because of plowing from this winter's incessant snowstorms and wicked freezing-and-thawing cycles.

City leaders Wednesday pledged to set aside more money -- possibly 83 percent more -- for road improvement and resurfacing projects for the 2008 calendar year.

So far, the city has set aside about $7.2 million, of which $6.5 million is from riverboat revenues. City Manager Olufemi "Femi" Folarin said his staff has identified a possible $6 million in funding that could help resurface 20 to 30 additional miles of streets.

City council members agreed more money was needed. A $6 million bump would total $13.2 million, an increase of more than 80 percent.

"It's a thing we should do," said Council member Robert Gilliam. "This is a basic service."

Exactly how the city will find more money was not specified, but it likely will mean deferring some projects another year or two or possibly issuing bonds. The city does not use money from its general fund for road repairs.

Folarin only said he would return to the city with a plan "very soon."

So far this year, the city plans to work on: a stretch of Walnut Avenue from South Street almost to Route 31; a neighborhood called Sunset Park; streets in the Country Knoll neighborhood around Jefferson Avenue; and Wing Park Boulevard.

The city's Public Works Department patches potholes and has equipment for small scale resurfacing projects; larger projects will be sent out to private contractors.

"(More projects) is obviously something public works would support," said John Loete, public works director. "This has been a tough winter with a lot of freeze-thaw cycles. It's taken its toll."