October 13, 2008
- Idaho Falls, Pocatello, Blackfoot - Idaho
Unpaved Roads In Idaho Falls
By Anthony Congi
IDAHO FALLS - Everyday Alan Newman turns off Science Center Drive toward his house on Elmore. When he does, rock's go flying, mud splatters and dust picks up because this street, which is in the city limits, isn't paved.
Newman: "I could see if I was living out in the country but we're in the middle of the city and this is a dirt road this is kind of annoying." Alan, who works as a service tech in town, isn't trying to cause trouble or commotion, he's just a simple guy with a simple request. Newman: "I'd like to see the roads paved. I pay the same property tax that everyone else pays and I think the city should pave the road." So why aren't these roads paved? I went to the city of Idaho Falls public works director and he says it's not the city's responsibility. Chad Stanger, Public Works Director: "The city maintains them but the city does not go out and build roads for developers. That was a development that was annexed to the city without requiring the paved roads a lot of years ago." Since the time Alan's neighborhood was built, laws have changed. Today, any developer has to pave the roads. Those who live in the newer houses are paying for their roads through their mortgages. But if a person in a situation such as Alan wanted to get their roads paved, there's still options available through Local Improvement Districts or L.I.D.'s which is a program designed and engineered by the city. After city council's approval, the L.I.D. group proposes a dollar number to build the project and the neighborhood would pay back the money in payments to have the paved roads. These L.I.D.'s have worked in the past. Back in the 70's, all downtown streets were redone through L.I.D.'s and paid off by local businesses. However, about ten years ago, a group tried coming together for an L.I.D. to have their street paved, but some protested and didn't want to pay the assessment, so the council rejected it. But if you'd like to start an L.I.D., you can contact the public works department. |
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