The
phrase ‘perfect storm’ refers to the dramatic convergence of events
leading to a crisis. If ever there were a perfect storm brewing
locally, it’s the lack of funding countywide to keep up with road
construction needs in rapidly growing Volusia County.
Simply
put, revenues at the county level are down, costs are up
dramatically and the growth just keeps on coming.
Ironically, revenues from gasoline taxes are even or up from
previous years, indicating increasing traffic on our roads. However,
allocations from utility tax revenues are down from $1.8 million in
2004 to a projected $800,000 in 2007 due to other County needs. But
the biggest shortfall is in revenue from impact fees, down from $13
million in 2005 to a projected $9 million in 2007.
It is no
surprise that costs are up, but when you look at increases in the
cost of resurfacing, a major component of the road program, it is
striking. The cost of resurfacing per lane mile in 2004 was just
over $40,000, according to County Engineer Gerry Brinton.
Resurfacing a lane mile in 2007 is projected to cost well over
$93,000.
That’s
an increase of nearly 225 percent at a time when demand (growth)
continues to increase. This has forced local officials to scrutinize
priorities more than ever to ensure the most critical projects get
the fastest attention, even if this means pushing other scheduled
projects several years in the future.
“This is
a complex challenge,” said Brinton. “Many of the needs are driven by
growth in the cities. Yet at this point in time, the cities are not
able to fund much of needed road construction.”
The road
situation is a challenge that was addressed by Volusia County Chair
Frank Bruno in his State of the County address earlier this year.
“County Manager Jim Dinneen has met with city leaders for a
transportation summit and he is
encouraging us to pursue an independent study of county and city
road needs,” said Bruno.
The
county’s 10-year road program identifies needs in road projects,
sidewalk projects, resurfacing projects and dirt road paving
projects. These projects command just over 60 percent of the
revenues. The rest funds routine road maintenance, traffic
operations and bridge repairs.
The
County was able to advance several much needed road projects with
the proceeds of a $65-million bond issue. While this may seem like a
big number, it is funding just seven critically needed widening
projects:
-
South Williamson Boulevard, Port Orange ($13.3 million)
-
Williamson Boulevard, Ormond Beach ($6.7 million)
-
Tymber Creek Road, Ormond Beach ($7.6 million)
-
10th Street, New Smyrna Beach/Edgewater ($7.3 million)
-
Howland Boulevard, Deltona ($20.4 million)
-
Rhode Island east, Orange City/Deltona ($4.9 million)
-
Beresford Avenue extension, DeLand ($5.1 million).
So what
are the options for funding more of the badly needed road
construction projects? One step is to increase road impact fees from
the current $2,044 per new residence or to add a half percent sales
tax dedicated to road construction. To do
this voter approval would be necessary.
Meanwhile, 10 major road projects have been delayed because of a
budget shortfall. For example, the widening of Williamson Boulevard
from Dunn Avenue in Daytona Beach to Hand Avenue in Ormond Beach now
is scheduled between FY 2009/2010 and FY 2013/2014 and will require
$14.5 million to advance.
On the
more affordable end of the list is the widening of Old Mission Road
in New Smyrna Beach from Park Avenue to Eslinger Avenue. It requires
only $2.1 million to advance, but is not scheduled until
FY2015/2016.
Add to
the list of road needs 20 sidewalk projects, 91 resurfacing projects
and 88 dirt road paving projects and it becomes obvious that needs
are outpacing the ability to fund them. So, as our cities and
unincorporated areas continue to grow, Bruno believes it’s
imperative the county and cities work together to address the
community’s transportation needs.
To that
end, Volusia County’s Public Works Department has been meeting with
representatives of each city in Volusia County to improve regional
transportation planning and funding issues through increased
communication and coordination.■
Ocean Center expansion goes vertical
Reinforcing
steel emerges from the foundations of the Ocean Center expansion on
the west side of the existing building. Eight contractors continue
work on the site, with many focused on securing the base of the
structure with steel cages, concrete and waterproofing. Underground
work, though largely unseen now, includes electrical conduits,
underground chilled water piping and sewer lines. Mechanical
engineers and Ocean Center staff continue to review the current
design for opportunities to increase design efficiencies where
possible. The $76-million project will double the size of the
current Ocean Center. Completion is scheduled in 2008. ■
