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All hands on deck as Capital Program underway
Understanding the City of Cranbrook’s Asset Management Framework and how it impacts our roads program
With the warmer weather approaching, all hands are on deck as the city’s 2017 Capital Program is well underway. The first four contracts have been awarded with construction and paving already occurring in several locations throughout Cranbrook.
With the massive number of roads being worked on this year, the city is also looking to answer some questions that many residents always ask. Here is a rundown on the why, or why not, when it comes to Capital Works Planning and Asset Management.
Q: How does the city decide which roads need work?
A: The city is committed to utilizing a strong Asset Management Framework that takes objective information about infrastructure condition, capacity and risk to make the most informed decisions. Using condition assessments, inspection information and repair history and overlaying it within risk and service priorities paints a clearer picture of the roads that need most attention.
Q: Why do some roads just get re-paved, while others get new water and sewer services?
A: This is all about what you can’t see. If the city’s condition assessment indicates the water and sewer have 20-30 years of life left, the most cost effective solution is to just re-pave the road. If the utilities are at the end of their lifespan (indicated by leaks and repairs) they need to be replaced before repaving, or you will be digging up the new pavement investment to replace those utilities.
Q: Why is my road not being fixed when it is in worse condition than others that are being worked on?
A: Timing is everything when it comes to proper investment in infrastructure and it’s a very tough balance to achieve. The city looks at prioritizing arterial roads, bus/emergency routes and school zones as they provide a large portion of the service. If these roads fail, the negative impact is significant compared to a local residential street. Also, repaving a road before it completely fails is significantly cheaper than waiting until it falls apart. This investment timing is critical as the city attempts to improve the level of service across the community. That being said, past investment in the major road network is now allowing us to address many of the local residential streets that are in need of work.
Q: What if I still have questions?
A: The city is always available to answer questions about Infrastructure Planning. The public’s comments and opinions are an integral part of the Asset Management process, and often contribute to an improved understanding of public priorities and service. Feel free to call Project Manager, Mike Matejka (250-489-0250) or send an email to [email protected].
Learn more about Asset Management
The city has also set up a 2017 Roads Program webpage, with information and updates on each of the major projects to be undertaken this year, along with many great photos of the construction.
The city is also providing an e-newsletter that will provide construction notices to residents being affected by service disruptions like water, sewer and road access.
Sign up online, quickly and easily.
City of Cranbrook
