Santa Cruz County needs state funds to repair roads

On Tuesday, Santa Cruz County leaders agreed to ask the state for funding to improve crumbling roads and highways. This came as nearly two-thirds of the county’s local roads are rated as “at risk” or “failed” according to a statewide street assessment. News Channel 5 went to Sequoia Drive and Lillian Way, one of the intersections the county would like to fix if it had enough money. Residents in the area said it was about time something was done.

“I think it’s a great idea we’ve got some places right here in front of meis pretty well but some places getting here and getting out of here arepretty bad,” resident Jerry Belcher said.

Belcher said it’s not easy navigating around all the problem spots.

“Scary, big pot holes, the edge of the road is cracked in certain places. I’m a bike rider so I’ve noticed all of them around the area,” said Belcher.

The county has noticed the pot holes too. But public works director, John Presleigh said right now there aren’t any funds to do repairs.

“What we use is gas tax revenue and it’s really down. We’re down 20 percent because the state decided to change the rate of inflation on it. So we’re down about $1.2million this year,” said Presleigh.

Santa Cruz county public works said they need about $6 to $8 million to fix up roads and highways. The county created a map showing a five year resurfacing plan, work would start in the marked areas if funding was available.

“This is all a political process, if the state could come together and have the governor sign off on some legislation we hope somewhere within six months to a year we’ll see some type of action,” said Presleigh.

Santa Cruz county drivers have their fingers crossed.

“If we get millions of dollars I hope they put it to what there main idea is to fix the road,” said Belcher.

The public works director said he plans to send a letter to the state legislature in the next couple of days asking for funding to come to Santa Cruz county.