City of Columbus to Improve Approximately 35 Miles of Alleys
For Immediate Release
May 1, 2014
For More Information:
Rick Tilton, Public Service, 645-7263
John Ivanic, City Council, 645-6798
The City of Columbus has begun to cut brush and improve the surfaces of approximately thirty-five miles of alleys through the Department of Public Service’s 2014 alley improvements program. At least 260 alleys will be improved in the following areas this year:
“We continue to invest in making alleys all over Columbus safer for residents,” said Mayor Michael B. Coleman. “Smoother alleys also extend the lives of our refuse trucks and save money in maintenance costs.”
Between 2009 and 2013, the Department of Public Service improved a total of 160.5 miles of alleys across Columbus:
- 2013: 36 miles of alleys (117 alleys)
- 2012: 36 miles of alleys (127 alleys)
- 2011: 66 miles of alleys (423 alleys)
- 2010: 13.5 miles of alleys (96 alleys)
- 2009: 9 miles of alleys (41 alleys) in the midst of the city’s budget crisis
“Well-maintained alleys strengthen our neighborhoods,” said Council President Pro Tem A. Troy Miller, chair of the Public Service and Transportation Committee. “As in the past, the City of Columbus is devoting resources to improve these important public assets for the benefit of residents.”
The number of alleys surface-treated each year depends primarily on available funding in the Department of Public Service’s Street Construction Maintenance Fund budget. The city will invest $1.5 million in alley brush cutting and surface treatment in 2014, compared to $1.5 million in 2013, $1.5 million in 2012; $2.5 million in 2011, $206,550 in 2010 and $138,984 in 2009.
Improvements to alley surfaces, also known as surface treatment, are done in the following steps:
- Cutting and clearing of brush from the public right-of-way portion of the alley
- The cleaning and smoothing of the alley’s surface
- Repair of potholes in the alley using the same materials used to fill potholes on city street
- The alley surfaces are then covered with a mix of crushed stone and a tar-like liquid emulsion
Motorists can safely drive on alleys immediately after they are surface-treated.
Surface treatments are performed on all city alleys on a regular rotation. Alleys are checked annually to determine whether they are in need of treatment.
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