What is the secret to keeping Coeur d’Alene streets in good shape? In a word: resources. City Council members have repeatedly affirmed street maintenance as one of their top priorities during annual budget retreats. Many of our streets such as Ramsey Road north of Hanley, Kathleen Avenue west of Ramsey, north Atlas, and Seltice Way saw reconstruction or improvements such as curb and gutter, swale detentions, and road widening. This summer for overlay, the main focus will is on the 4th street mid-town renovation and upgrade. For most streets, the key to keeping them in good condition is an adequate level of annual maintenance which is funded through the General Fund. The City of Coeur d'Alene maintains an inventory of about 250 centerline miles of streets. To ensure a dedicated maintenance funding stream, the City Council continues to retain in the budget a $625,000 line item for the pavement Overlay Program. This item funds the annual equivalence of 20 to 30 city blocks worth of pavement overlay. This work is typically contracted and is managed by the Engineering Department. In addition, the Street Maintenance Department performs extensive spot repairs on city streets using in-house resources. The cost of this work totals about $400,000. So, in a typical year, this city invests a little over $1 million between the overlay program and in-house forces to keep the 250 miles of streets maintained. With this level of funding dedicated to street maintenance, along with periodic help from grants and LIDs, our streets should never fall into wholesale disrepair.
With the summer patching repair season approaching, Street Maintenance Department crews will focus on the patching of major streets that are in the poorest condition. Crews will initially focus on the following areas:
• 15th Street north of Wallace to I-90
• Hanley Avenue from Ramsey to Government Way
• Dalton Avenue from Ramsey to Government Way
• Seltice Way
• Atlas Road between I-90 overpass and Prairie
There will be many other residential streets, in addition to these, that will be repaired by the Street Maintenance Department later this summer. We want to do the best job possible alerting motorists to our work zones. Detailed day-to-day traffic impact reports are provided daily to radio KVNI 1080 AM for street closures and interferences. Road maintenance work is demanding and dangerous. We ask the public's patience and assistance – PLEASE obey work zone signage and be extra cautious in our work areas. In return, we promise that we will do our best to ensure your safety and keep you moving toward your destination. For more information, please call 769-2233.
