Monticello to have $2 million for roads

Monticello residents who have dealt with two years of road work should prepare for another summer of construction after the City of Monticello has secured $2 million for road construction.
However, instead of being used on major roads and thoroughfares, the funds will be used to rebuild a number of side streets in the community.
“We want to stretch these funds as far as they can go, but with roads that will last up to 30 years,” said Monticello City Manager Myron Lee.
The city has developed a preliminary list of roads that will be rebuilt and is seeking input on the process. The hope is that the planning process will be completed in time for construction to begin this summer.
Approximately six months ago, the San Juan County Transportation District agreed to provide $100,000 a year for the next ten years to the cities of Monticello and Blanding.
The City of Monticello used the agreement to leverage a $1 million loan and an additional $1 million grant from the Utah Permanent Community Impact Board. The loan will be paid with the funds from the transportation district.
For the past two summers, the major roads in Monticello have been torn up as the city replaced sewer and water infrastructure under Main and Center streets in 2008 and repaved both roads in 2009.
The preliminary 2010 schedule for road construction includes a number of city streets, including Latigo Loop, Oak Crest Drive and Circle Drive. Other roads on the list include Main Street between 500 and 600 South and portions of 100 and 200 North, 100 and 200 West, and 100 and 300 South.
Lee explains that a number of the current problems with potholes in city streets originate from poorly engineered roads. “We will go in and rebuild these roads from the bottom up, with the goal that they will last 30 years if they are properly maintained,” said Lee.
Roads will not be the only construction project in Monticello. Construction is continuing on a new surgical suite at San Juan Hospital and on a new seasonal swimming pool.
In addition, the new Monticello airport will complete a road base and pavement project this summer, paid by a grant from the FAA. The airport is just east of the existing airport fives miles north of town. In 2009, a runway and apron at the new airport were completed.