City Council approves resolution for road maintenance on 13th Street West

Havre City Council Monday voted on how to use gas tax money, from the state, in a resolution requesting distribution of Bridge and Road Safety and Accountability Program funds.

Mayor Tim Solomon said a law passed during the last legislative session requires that governments specify what requests for additional money from the gas tax will be used for in projects.

The money will go toward a 13th Street West mill and overlay project, which runs past the hospital through Highland Park.

He added that the funds requested are not enough for immediate use and will sit in an account for the project until there is enough money to complete it.

The Bridge and Road Safety and Accountability Account “requires the Montana Department of Transportation to allocate accrued funds to cities, towns, counties and consolidated city-county governments for construction, reconstruction, maintenance, and repair of rural roads, city or town streets and alleys, bridges, or roads and streets that the city, town, county, or consolidated city-county government has the responsibility to maintain,” the resolution the council voted on says.

Council member Terry Lilletvedt asked whether it was a major reconstruction project because city budget problems have deterred major street projects.

Public Works Director Dave Peterson said the mill and overlay project is similar to highway maintenance. He added that it is not a reconstruction project but part of maintenance.

The project is estimated to take more than five years to complete.

One of the reasons this road will receive work is that it is less likely to require future work, Peterson said, adding that infrastructure underneath the street is still in very good shape.

The resolution was passed unanimously by the council members present.

Two city council members, Caleb Hutchins and Sarah McKinney, had excused absences from the meeting.

Eric Harrison, a senior at Havre High School, asked during the public comment segment of the meeting what the average price range for a mill and overlay on the road is.

Peterson said the project on 13th Street West will consist of seven blocks, with each block, about 300 feet, costing roughly $25,000. The total project resulting in anywhere from $150,000 to $170,000 to complete, he said.