Binghamton Mayor David unveils 2015 infrastructure plan

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — Binghamton Mayor Richard David has released the city’s 2015 street-improvement plan.

The $8.2 million plan includes 10.2 miles of milling and paving, estimated at $1.9 million. It also proposes 3.1 miles of preventive maintenance, including crack filling and microsurfacing, estimated at $200,000.

David’s office in a Monday news release described microsurfacing as “laying down a thin layer of asphalt over the road to seal its surface … to prolong the life of streets in good condition and avoid costly reconstruction projects.”

The mayor’s plan also includes 1.1 miles of full-street reconstruction, including phase II of Riverside Drive, estimated at $4.3 million.

In addition, crews will handle $1.8 million in water and sewer upgrades, which include road repair.

Altogether, crews will reconstruct, mill, and pave or microsurface “roughly” 14.4 “centerline” miles of streets, the release stated. That figure compares to more than 11 miles of streets in 2014 and just over six miles in 2013.

“Investing in infrastructure is a fundamental function of local government,” David said in the news release. “With aggressive planning and the hard work of individuals out in the field, Binghamton’s roads are finally getting the improvements they have needed for a long time.”

In a review of New York’s infrastructure, New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli estimated that local municipalities are only spending about one-third of what’s necessary to keep up with “deteriorating” capital assets, according to the release.

Binghamton is bucking that trend, David contends.

In addition to Clifton Boulevard, crews will conduct mill and pave operations this month on Moore Avenue, Hotchkiss Street, Corliss Street, Parsons Street, and Telegraph Street.

The milling and paving program “encompasses all parts of the city,” according to David’s office.

To “maximize resources and minimize costs,” Binghamton is planning to concentrate work in one city section at a time, including the north side, east side, south side, west side, first ward, and downtown.

Work is currently focused on the south side of Binghamton.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com