Pavement Evaluation Study for North Canton Streets Could Get Underway Soon

The city of North Canton may launch a $24,500 pavement evaluation study that would wrap up by the end of summer and help determine which roads need repaved first.

City officials have narrowed in on CT Consultants, which has an office in North Canton and recently performed a similar study for the city of Wickliffe, west of Cleveland.

The study will inventory each street and take into account the different types of distresses, City Engineer Jim Benekos said. It will rate the streets according to their conditions.

“We want to put all the streets on a grid and on a rotating basis, every 10 to 12 years, (have them) resurfaced,” he said.

Council members discussed the plan for a pavement evaluation study and looked over Wickliffe’s study when they met Monday night.

If council gives the OK, the study could get under way within a month.

Because its cost is just under $25,000, Benekos said the city does not need to accept proposals from other companies. But he said he’s confident CT Consultants is fit to handle it for North Canton.

Council President Jon Snyder told council he supports the study.

“We’re noted in the county for our streets and our snow removal,” he said. “Once it becomes part of our economic development, we have to keep it up.”

Snyder said city officials will see how much money it will cost to repave roads within five years and secure a bond to cover the cost.

The city likely will replace its current 1.5-mill levy that brings in $560,000 annually and replace it with a five-year levy to pay off the bond, he said.

Councilman Pat DeOrio also voiced his approval of the study, saying he’s sure community members will support it once they see the importance of it.

“I think if you communicate that to the public and let them know this is well thought out … then they have some reason to support the levy,” he said.

Council placed the item on the agenda for Monday’s council meeting.