Omahans could see the city’s streets’ conditions majorly improved upon voter approval in May of a $200 million transportation bond.

According to Mayor Jean Stothert at a January 23 press conference, more than 250 miles of streets will be rehabilitated annually throughout all of the city’s districts upon bond approval. 

“A top priority for me is the condition of our streets. Safe roads are part of the tax payers rights,” she said.

The streets in the city have been neglected for many years in terms of street maintenance. Right now, around 125 miles of street are improved; but almost twice that is needed to keep up with the city’s needs. 

“Our streets have been underfunded for 50 years,” she said.  Currently, the city faces an annual revenue shortfall of $35 million for street repairs.

This transportation bond includes $200 million for projects for a five year period, and will come with a small levy increase to city residents. This means the owner of home valued at $100,000 would see an increase of around $35 per year for projects such as street reconstruction, panel and neighborhood street repairs and unimproved streets. 

While Mayor Stothert and the city council has the right to increase taxes for these projects, she said she wants the voters to decide on this bond.  Voters will have a chance to approve this bond on May 12, 2020.

“We want to keep the levy low, but we also need to keep tax payers happy,” Stothert said. “I want voters to decide.”

In 2019, Omaha experienced a freeze-thaw cycle that brought pot-holes and street disrepair to the forefront. 

“Our streets were exploding,” she said. “We spent $13 million on potholes last year, wasting money on a BAND-AID solution.” 

This bond does not include funding for annual pothole repairs, as that comes from a different budget. Rather than just quick-fixing potholes, the money from the bond will establish a sustainable maintenance program for rehabilitating the streets throughout the city.

Also not included in the bond are bike lanes or other improvements, because the city is so far behind on regular maintenance.

“We can’t put a bike land a street full of holes, “ she said.

Maintaining the infrastructure of a city calls for funding. When the mayor first started, the city had a budget of around $2million; since then it has increased to $12 million. But as the average city street’s viability lasts for 20 years, constant funding sources are needed. 

If the bond is passed, the money will fund projects for five years. Potentially, the bond would be on a ballot in 2025.  Construction is slated to start as soon as the bond is passed.

QUESTIONS:

How would you handle those who live outside of the city limits, but travel on the city’s streets? 

Will you contract out the services, or add more staff?

Will better, rehabbed streets curb potholes from happening?

Why are there un-improved streets in the city in the first place? (example Rockbrook area.)

Do you have a pulse on if this bond will pass or not?