Answers to road bond questions

Thursday, March 4, 2010

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Editor’s Note: Bill Overholt, chairman of the Amherst Road Commission, has submitted the following answers to frequently asked questions about the road bond facing voters at the upcoming election.

The proposal, Article 22, calls for $15 million for a multi-year road reconstruction and repair project. It would allow selectmen to spend the $15 million over several years, with the stipulation that no more than $4 million be spent in any one year, to reconstruct or repair dozens of roads totaling about 23 miles.

Why is reconstruction of some roads necessary?

Reconstruction of sections of 54 roads in Amherst, totaling about 23 miles, is necessary because those roads do not have proper base materials and proper drainage, and will not respond to normal maintenance.

Water infiltrates into the poor road base though the cracks and potholes on the surface, and is not carried away because of improper drainage (water even gets pushed up into the bad road base!). Then the water freezes, causing frost heaves, which further break up the road surface, allowing more water to run into the base.

Putting a topcoat of asphalt or sealing the cracks will not solve the problem, since the uncorrected base and drainage will allow the cycle to repeat.

Reconstruction is the only solution that works.

What does “reconstruction” mean?

There are two types of reconstruction that will be done, depending on the severity of the conditions. A good road is “good” three feet down.

The first is reclaiming. This is done where the bottom foot or so of the three feet of material is basically good, consisting of gravel and stone, which will drain well. The top 18-24 inches of roadway, including asphalt and some gravel, are ground up in place and left then as the roadbed, creating a homogeneous layer which will drain well.

The second type of reconstruction is rebuilding, and that is done when all three feet under the road surface is unsuitable for a modern road. Many of our roads are old, having first been used in the horse and buggy days. Logs or wood planks were often placed over the wet area so the wagons would not sink. Paving was done on whatever was already there - in low-lying wet areas in particular it was lots of organic materials (great for topsoils, but not for roads). All such material must be trucked out and replaced with stone and gravel that drains well.In both cases ditches and drainage structures will be built.

When will the work be started?

Once the warrant article passes and money is available through the bond, the project plans can proceed. The engineering results will help dictate which roads will be done first.

How will the work be done?

Since most of the reconstruction will be in relatively short sections of a whole road, two things will happen at the same time.

The reconstruction will be done by a contractor and paid for though the bond. Maintenance on the rest of the road will be done by the Department of Public Works (DPW) with town budget money.

When all the work is done, the whole road will have been blacktopped.

Why is the work to take place over several years?

During reconstruction roads will be closed, except to local traffic, for some period of time. It is important that alternate routes be available during that time.

Additionally, the operating budget money and DPW’s available manpower, will not allow for more work to be done in any given year.

Does the cost of the bond include regular road maintenance?

No. Maintenance money comes out of a line item in DPW’s budget - funded by money from the state as our share of the state gasoline tax, and from property taxes.

The cost of engineering and outside supervision, and the reconstruction itself are what’s included in the bond.

What does reconstruction cost?

The cost for reclaiming a two-lane road varies from $250,000 to $400,000 per mile. The cost for rebuilding can be up to $800,000.

How long will the reconstructed roads last?

Given proper maintenance, roads that are built correctly should last indefinitely.

What is the cost of the bond to the taxpayer?

It is difficult to pin down an exact number, since the cost of bonding will vary depending on the interest rate, length of the bond, and payback structure.

If the selectmen decide on a 15 year, $4 million bond, and the interest rate is 4 percent, then the cost to the a home owner living in a $400,000 house would be about $36 the first year (interest payment only), and $92 the second. Then the cost of that bond decreases by about $2.50 per year. As more bonds are taken out in the ensuing years, up to the $15 million, the costs will go up accordingly.

It is incumbent on us to take care of our infrastructure. Properly constructed roads are safer, cause less wear and tear on vehicles, are easier to plow, and are more pleasant to drive on - and they are much less expensive to maintain.

A super majority or 60 percent is required to pass this bond. It is unanimously supported by the Board of Selectmen; Ways & Means Committee; Road Commission; and the Road Funding Analysis Committee.

For more information, contact Town Administrator Gary MacGuire at gmacguire@amherstnh.gov or 673-6041, ext. 209.