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PermalinkThursday, January 24, 2013
San Diego Councilman Mark Kersey says the city needs to take a comprehensive approach to fixing its potholes and water main breaks. He’s heading up a newly formed committee meant to handle San Diego’s infrastructure issues. Kersey said the city needs a five-year plan to tackle the problem.
Fixing Streets, Pipes Will Cost $1 Billion And Take 5 Years
Aired 1/25/13
Crumbling streets and cracked sidewalks have long been a thorn in the side of San Diegans. But one councilman has a plan to tackle these problems for good.
Above: City crews work on a sinkhole that opened after a water main break on Shawnee Road in Clairemont on December 27, 2011.
"A lot of things are done haphazardly, just as people request projects. And that’s not really the best way of investing in infrastructure," he said. "So the creation of a five-year plan allows us to get a very citywide outlook as to what projects need to be done and what the (priorities) should be."
Kersey said the city should assess what projects the public wants first. He's aiming to have the five-year plan completed in time for the budget process for Fiscal Year 2015. Kersey said the city can borrow through bonds and put that money toward infrastructure improvements.
The cost of San Diego’s infrastructure backlog is estimated at about $900 million. But Kersey said that’s likely low because it doesn’t include things like fixing sidewalks and maintaining public buildings.
Comments
RegularChristian | January 25, 2013 at 7:29 a.m. ― 3 months, 3 weeks ago
I've noticed that trash collection along the freeways has also been neglected. There's so much litter along the South Bay cities that I often get the feeling I'm driving in Mexico.
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benz72 | January 25, 2013 at 8:03 a.m. ― 3 months, 3 weeks ago
It is a good idea to plan not just for five years, but for the expected useful life of infrastructure as well as necessary replacement costs after that useful life expires.
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Missionaccomplished | January 25, 2013 at 9:46 a.m. ― 3 months, 3 weeks ago
Actually Reg Chris, Mexican journalists/radio personalities criticize the double standard when Mexicans shoppers cross into the US, put the trash where it belongs, but once back in Mexico, it's wherever they feel like it. They don't want to lose their crossing passports or permits due to a littering fine.
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Missionaccomplished | January 25, 2013 at 9:47 a.m. ― 3 months, 3 weeks ago
But wait, CA Off and Benz, this will mean . . . yikes . . . more taxes!
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Questions_everywhere | January 25, 2013 at 9:57 a.m. ― 3 months, 3 weeks ago
We should allow individuals/companies to handle some community repairs and maintenance for tax savings and promotional advertising. Maybe try to bring a little community spirit to a city.
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Missionaccomplished | January 25, 2013 at 10:06 a.m. ― 3 months, 3 weeks ago
San Diego is a little too big for that.
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benz72 | January 25, 2013 at 10:22 a.m. ― 3 months, 3 weeks ago
MA, I think you have me confused with someone else. I'm not anti tax. I am against taxes that provide private goods at public expense. I believe well maintained reliable infrastructure to be a reasonable expense for a community good, don't you?
Additionally there are many things we waste current tax receipts on that could be redirected to more important things like reliable infrastructure.
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RegularChristian | January 26, 2013 at 9:06 a.m. ― 3 months, 3 weeks ago
You get what you pay for.
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benz72 | January 27, 2013 at 7:29 a.m. ― 3 months, 3 weeks ago
If only that were true.
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