Based on the latest study by F&ME Consultants, the 202 miles of Beaufort County maintained roadways saw its pavement conditions improve from a C to a B over the last five years.
“The County network had never been reviewed before we made the decision in 2017,” said Kraig Gordon, Chairman of the Beaufort County Transportation Committee. “We felt the necessity to spend our limited funds wisely, with no political influence and to give the best to the people, visitors and residents alike.”
Approximately 60 miles of roadway were improved between the 2017 and 2021 evaluations costing around $10 million from state gasoline sales tax money. The next five-year plan has about 110 miles of road condition improved at a cost of $8.5 million.
According to this year's work schedule, no roads will be in the "Very Poor" category.
"The Beaufort County Transportation Committee led by Kraig Gordon has done an excellent job developing a five-year plan to improve all the roadways owned by the County," said Jared Fralix, Assistant County Administrator, Infrastructure. "In the next five years, we know we can get up to an A."
Beaufort County hired F&ME Consultants, Inc. in 2021 to conduct a pavement condition survey on all County-owned roads five years after implementing the 2017 Five-Year Pavement Preservation Program. The results of the study will be included in the 2022/2023 transportation plan.
In the recent survey, almost 200 miles of roadway were determined to be "Fair," "Good," or "Very Good," which means they are serviceable and comfortable for County residents.
"A dramatic improvement was observed in roadways moving to the "Very Good" rating, which is exactly where a program like the one developed in 2017 is expected to show the most improvement and provide the best use of County funds," according to the survey report by F&ME.
The study surveyed 202 miles of Beaufort County maintained roadways in the County, as well as in the City of Beaufort, Town of Hilton Head, Town of Port Royal, and Town of Bluffton. Its purpose was to provide an update on pavement condition; measure the effectiveness of the roadways, preservation methods, and deterioration trends; and form a new five-year plan for pavement maintenance and preservation.
"The success of the 2017 Five-Year Pavement Preservation Program implemented by Beaufort County can already be measured in the 2021 survey," stated F&ME in the 2021 Beaufort County Pavement Condition Survey Report.
Compared to the 2017 survey, which concluded no County roads were "Very Good," 67 miles are now listed in the "Very Good" category. Less than one mile of roadway is still considered to be "Very Poor."
For the complete study, go to https://www.beaufortcountysc.gov/engineering/
For the 2020/2021 Transportation Committee Plan https://www.beaufortcountysc.gov/county-transportation-committee/2020.21.-CTC-TRANS-PLAN.final.pdf
For the Pavement Quality Index https://bcscgis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/View/index.html?appid=99e060ffdac3427784fcb0cefa817752
Original source can be found here.
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