Alachua County adds $9 million for road repairs as pothole crews report early progress

Alachua County will put an extra $9 million toward road repair over the next three years after the County Commission unanimously approved a budget amendment at its Tuesday, Oct. 13 meeting, The Independent Florida Alligator reported.

The county's own meeting summary describes the vote as an accelerated funding plan for projects in its Transportation Capital Improvement Plan. According to the Alligator, the added money supports pothole-related work such as strip milling, resurfacing, mastic and chip seal.

Where the money comes from

The Alligator reported that the county is not pulling the money from existing projects. Instead, it comes from carry-forward funds, updated revenue projections and additional interest.

Commissioner Anna Prizzia spoke in favor of the amendment, saying it gives the county the opportunity "to accelerate these road projects and respond to the rapidly deteriorating situation our roadways are facing." Road conditions had already drawn attention at a Sept. 22 commission meeting, where several residents used public comment to push for road maintenance.

What crews have done so far

At the same meeting, county Communications Director Mark Sexton gave commissioners an update on the expanded pothole program that launched last month. The county reported that Public Works has repaired 4,662 potholes, using 178.64 tons of material, and has strip-milled and resurfaced 5,510 linear feet of roadway using 776.95 tons.

Outside contractors have also begun assisting. According to the county, they have milled and resurfaced another 7,539.88 linear feet of roadway, using 685.67 tons of material.

How to report a pothole

Residents can report potholes and other roadway problems online through the county's Pothole Portal, which has been active since Sept. 15. Sexton told the Alligator the portal has drawn more than 600 reports in the last four weeks.

For details on which projects are being moved up, the county's meeting summary links to the full Oct. 13 agenda and video of the discussion.