Roadway and Storm Water Development and Maintenance

Our roadways must have the highest priority on our list of “things to do today”. Roads that are poorly maintained decrease property values.  Low property values lead to increased crime rates.  Increased crime rates lead to higher law enforcement expenditures. 

We must increase the service level (traffic capacity) of our major and arterial roads.  Efficient traffic flow is essential for the health and safety of our community.  We must divert the funds necessary, from non-essential departments and services, to resolve all the issues related to the completion and extension of Apple Valley Road.  

We must incorporate storm water collection and distribution into our roadways. Currently in the majority of Apple Valley rainwater that falls into our roads drains to the dirt shoulder of the asphalt and collects there or runs along the edges of the asphalt and ponds at low points along the road. When rainwater ponds beside our asphalt roads, it saturates the soil below the road and causes the asphalt to break up and deteriorate. When rainwater flows along the edge of our asphalt roads, it erodes the soil and carries the soil into our intersections and roadways. This is a traffic hazard and deteriorates the road surface. 

Storm water should be collected, filtered and recharged into the aquifer. The town should attempt to purchase individual residential properties to create “micro” retention basins at strategic locations.  These retention basins areas could be used for passive parks or open space areas.