In a recent government meeting, city officials discussed the pressing issue of deferred maintenance costs for West Jordan's roadways, highlighting the need for a strategic approach to address deteriorating infrastructure. Krista, the city's pavement management lead, presented a detailed analysis of the current condition of the roads, utilizing the Pavement Condition Index (PCI) to categorize them from excellent to failed. The findings revealed that approximately 30% of the roads are in good condition, while 50% fall into the poor and very poor categories, indicating a significant maintenance backlog.

The discussion emphasized the financial implications of road maintenance, with Krista noting that routine maintenance costs significantly less—ranging from 1 to 50 cents per square foot—compared to major resurfacing, which can cost up to $16 per square foot. The officials acknowledged that without proactive measures, the average PCI could drop from 53 to 33 over the next decade, leading to increased complaints from residents and higher repair costs.

To address these challenges, the city would require an annual budget of $25 million over the next seven years to stabilize the PCI at a more manageable level. Currently, the city allocates approximately $4 million annually, creating a funding gap of $21 million. The officials discussed potential funding scenarios, including increasing the budget incrementally and exploring alternative maintenance techniques, such as chip sealing, which had previously been restricted.

The meeting concluded with a consensus on the urgency of addressing the road maintenance issue, with officials recognizing that a lack of action could lead to escalating costs and further deterioration of the city's infrastructure. The need for a comprehensive plan to secure additional funding and implement effective maintenance strategies was underscored as a priority for the city moving forward.