Washougal’s roads in better condition than state’s average

The city of Washougal has some of the best-conditioned and well-maintained roads in Washington, according to a recent report. Silverton, Ore.-based Capitol Asset & Pavement Services evaluated all paved streets maintained by the city and awarded Washougal with a Pavement Condition Index score of 82. “CAPS does not provide pavement analysis for all municipalities within the state, so it would be difficult to identify each jurisdiction and what their PCI would currently be,” Washougal Public Works Director Trevor Evers said. “(But CAPS co-owner) Joel Conder mentioned that our current PCI is one of the best in Washington state.” Conder said during the Washougal City Council’s Feb. 24 workshop session that the average PCI in Washington is 71. “Your staff and the folks that allocate the money for your streets have done an excellent job,” Conder said. “When I go into a city and try to help folks get going with their pavement management system, I try to get them to 82.” The ranking is a result of the council’s continued investment in pavement management, ensuring that local streets remain safe, efficient and well-maintained, Evers said. “Because of the city council’s investment in our pavement management program, we are able to focus on preventative maintenance rather than costly reconstructions,” Evers said. “This strategy saves money in the long run and ensures our roads remain safe and reliable for years to come.” The council allocated $1.1 million in 2025 and $1.1 million in 2026 from the city’s general fund budget to the city’s Pavement Management Program. “With this investment, we are ensuring smooth, safe roads, reducing vehicle maintenance costs for residents, and enhancing the overall quality of life in Washougal,” City Manager David Scott said. The city preserves 70.2 centerline miles of paved streets with yearly maintenance measures, such as crack-sealing and slurry-sealing. “Obviously, you want to catch those roads that are in fair and good condition and do maintenance to them,” Conder said. “It’s about $2 a square yard to do it in the early years. If you wait, it gets very expensive to do (up to $130 per square yard). That’s one thing the city has been really good about, maintaining the ‘good’ streets and keeping them there.” According to the report, 93.2 percent of Washougal’s roads are in “good” condition. Conder told Washougal leaders, however, that they should consider increasing their maintenance investment in the future. “My advice would be to start stockpiling some money if you can, because you can only seal-coat these roads so long, and eventually, they’re going to need some structural integrity added to them,” he said. “The (money that you’re) spending now will not work 10 to 12 years from now. A lot of councils that I talk to say, ‘Well, we’re going to kick the proverbial can down the road because we’re not even going to be on this council in 10, 12 years.’ The proper thing to do would be to start planning for that savings.” Scott told the council that it could move funds from other programs or implement new methods to fund the Pavement Management Program. “For example, the license tab fee. It’s $20 now but could go to $50,” he said. “Also, the council can do a 0.1 percent sales tax (increase). As we move into the next period of time in the strategic plan, one of the things (we’ll do is) a community funding analysis that’s going to look at all of our programs.” Councilwoman Julie Russell said the council should leave the $2.2 million that’s already allocated for 2025 and 2026 untouched and consider other options for the city’s next biennial budget in 2027-28. “That’s the easiest approach because we’ve already done (this year’s) budget,” Scott said. “And that gives time for our community funding analysis to mature.” Doug Flanagan: 360-735-4669; doug.flanagan@columbian.com

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