Redawg660 t1_jby7h4u wrote on March 12, 2023 at 5:18 PM

I spent a 32 year career in public works at a major P.N.W. city. I can tell you that the electeds were told many times by many people like me that you can’t ignore infrastructure maintenance.I can tell you that city now has major issues with their streets, underground pipes (water and sewer) and most of their concrete structures. The City Council continues to create new bikeways, bike paths and other niceties while the pavement rots. Elect smarter people Portland.

OcotilloWells t1_jbz497q wrote on March 12, 2023 at 9:05 PM

Infrastructure maintenance costs a lot, likely to close streets for weeks to months, look ugly while being done, and may not get finished before they leave office. The niceties probably go up quickly, and are there for reelection time.

Redawg660 t1_jbzqxmy wrote on March 12, 2023 at 11:50 PM

I agree with your point. However I don’t consider it good governance to allow infrastructure to degrade while doing frilly projects. The street maintenance backlog was reported to be at 4.4 billion dollars by the Portland Auditors Office in November of 2022. When I retired in 2012 the backlog was at 975 Million and rising. I retired early to get away from the insanity of our Mayor and City Council.