"Dave the Pave" Rides Again

December 2006

November 7, 2006 brought several wonderful election results. I’m not referring to my re-election to another term as Mayor, though I am pleased to serve the residents in our beloved city for two more years. I sincerely thank SLO voters for their support!

Several recent city surveys showed that top priorities for SLO residents include: a) improved street maintenance, b) traffic congestion relief, and c) improved flood protection. The overwhelming approval of measure Y will assure that the city has sufficient funds to return to an aggressive street maintenance program, make progress in relieving traffic congestion, and renew our flood control efforts.

In addition, State Bond Measure 1A will bring all cities, counties and Caltrans their rightful share of gasoline sales tax, which the State has “borrowed” in past years. SLO’S share exceeds $400,000/yr -- EVERY YEAR. Bond Measure 1B will provide $20 billion in statewide funds to be used for all forms of transportation and will bring SLO more than $1.4 million in one-time funds. Other approved bond measures will bring our city as yet undetermined funds for flood protection and drainage improvements.

Voters approved the Dalidio Project, which will soon lead to the construction of the needed Prado Interchange at 101, thus helping relieve traffic congestion in that area of town. I am confident that the funding method proposed will place very little burden on SLO residents.

SLO (and Cal Poly) will proceed with approvals and construction of more housing, the Nacimiento Pipeline will be built in the next few years to bring us sufficient water for longtime needs, and the Downtown Seismic Retrofit will continue so as to increase safety for merchants and shoppers. I am especially excited however, at the prospect of having enough money to make progress with deferred street maintenance and traffic congestion relief. SLO residents have given us priorities, and City, County, and State voters have approved funds for us to follow through. I'm so excited, that I’m like a kid in a candy store!

In the next couple of years, the City will be "catching up" on Major Street maintenance. Look for more improvements to the Los Osos Valley Road Interchange, and for rapid progress in the environmental review, design, and funding for the necessary major Interchange improvement. Look for Prado Road to start extending from Higuera toward Broad Street, as subdivisions are built in the Margarita Area. We can finally widen Mid-Higuera, another portion of Santa Barbara , and a Portion of Orcutt Road. We’ll be installing half a dozen new traffic signals to improve safety and traffic flow. We’ll have funds to add parking at the Damon-Garcia Sports Fields, to build a therapy pool at Sinsheimer Swim Center , and we'll be able to upgrade downtown with new sidewalks, trees, street lighting, and paving.

We’ll complete the Bill Roalman Bike Boulevard, another piece of the Railroad Safety Bike Trail, a portion of the Bob Jones Bike Trail, and many minor projects that have been languishing in recent years.

The Council of Governments and Caltrans will have funds to improve streets and highways near and within SLO City Boundaries, including repaving Broad Street and improving South Street, making the area safer and more attractive.

For me, Christmas really came early this year. The City Council has already started Goal-Setting hearings, and I’m chomping at the bit.I can hardly wait till people start calling me “Dave the Pave” again – and mean it in a good way!