Commerce City staff proposes expanded road preservation for 2027
The city’s 330-mile road network averaged 77.2 in its 2023 assessment, while staff says pavement scores have fallen about half a point a year since 2018.
Commerce City staff is proposing broader pavement-preservation work in 2027, including new treatments for roads in fair condition, as the city’s pavement scores have fallen about half a point a year since 2018, presentation materials show.
The city’s 2023 assessment gave its 330-mile road network an average Pavement Condition Index of 77.2 out of 100, which the city classifies as good. The network grew from 260 centerline miles in 2018 to 330 in 2023. The assessment found that 75% of roads were rated good or satisfactory and 1% serious or failed.
Collector roads had an average score of about 70, compared with about 80 for local streets. Staff attributes collectors’ lower scores to heavier use.
The proposed 2027 work would expand treatments such as slurry and chip seals, pavement rejuvenation and microsurfacing. Staff also proposes thin overlays and crack repairs on fair-condition collectors, reserving mill-and-overlay work for fair-to-poor segments. Staff says early preservation can cost six to eight times less than waiting for pavement to deteriorate.
The city plans a new assessment in 2027 to update pavement-condition data and guide investment priorities for the following five to 10 years. Staff is also developing budget and pavement-target scenarios for that period. The proposal is scheduled for a Sept. 28 City Council study-session presentation.