Priorities questioned: Roads vs. real estate in Waltham
The Waltham City Council’s recent order for an update on street construction highlights a systemic, problematic approach to our roads. While I appreciate our councilors trying to mitigate the impending summer gridlock on Main Street, it appears we are continuously playing catch-up with National Grid and other utilities. We wait for a major artery to get torn up, suffer through traffic, and then wonder why our cratered roads constantly damage our vehicles.
Our leaders should stop reacting to individual projects and start planning a proactive approach. Look at Newton, they implemented a data-driven, 10-year Accelerated Pavement Management Program using radar technology to map out road conditions before they fail. By securing a dedicated $95 million infrastructure fund, they didn’t wait for utility companies to dictate road quality. Councilor Paul Katz has rightfully pointed to this blueprint before.
Meanwhile, we rely almost entirely on state Chapter 90 funds, which, according to the online sources I found, bring in just under $2 million a year to cover our 150-mile road network. Yet, the city is actively preparing to borrow over $8.6 million just to purchase a single office building and parking lot at 600 Main Street.
If my math and online figures are correct, that single, pending real estate deal represents more than four times our annual road budget. Every dollar we tie up in real estate acquisitions is a dollar that isn’t fixing our streets. As taxpayers, we deserve a proactive, multi-year infrastructure plan that provides smooth, safe roads, not a perpetual cycle of emergency traffic meetings and more city-owned, underutilized parking lots.
Brad Onken
Cedarwood
Author
Comments (1)
Leave a comment
When commenting, please keep in mind we are a small non-profit focused on serving our community. Our commenting policy is simple:
- Common sense civility: we’re all neighbors, but we can disagree.
- Full name required: no anonymous comments.
- Assume the best of your neighbors.
the boston globe featured an article about 25/30 years ago about the “worst” street in waltham. rose hill way has the distinction of such an honor. as a resident for over 60 years i have on a couple occassions to motivate the home owners to authorize improvements. the effort failed twice. so we still have the honor of the “worst” road in the city. shame on some of its residents. tony mangini.
ps. a editorial about the road was written by editor tom murphy of the former waltham news tribune