Monterey puts Measure P money put to work on city streets

Monterey voters passed Measure P last November, designed to improve city roads and other infrastructure. Now the city said it’s making good on that promise. NewsChannel 5 hit the streets Thursday to find out how your tax dollars are being put to use.

“I kind of thought that I was going to get woken up at about 6 a.m. in the morning by the construction. But honestly, I woke up, looked out my window, beautiful day, beautiful black street it looks wonderful,” Monterey resident David Haney said.

Throughout Monterey, signs are being placed next to road repairs marking the recent work thanks to Measure P. Crews are laying a protective layer of asphalt over various streets to prevent pot holes or damage to the road. Crews are using a slurry truck this morning to pour 174,000 square feet of asphalt at seven different locations.

Steve Wittry, acting city engineer, said Thursday was day two of an eight day street schedule.

“If not for Measure P, the city would be relying upon our gas tax dollars or something that came from the state which is ever dwindling. Our pavement in a situation where it’s kind of at that area where it could go down very rapidly, it’s important to stop it before it deteriorates even further,” Wittry said.

Wittry said the city will generate $32 million over the four year life span of the Measure P tax increase. But they won’t stop at roads.

“We have another project that’s going to bid very soon for our storm drain project and another project for sidewalk repair,” Wittry said.

Those bids will be brought to council next month, if approved 18,000 square feet of sidewalk will be next to repair.

“It’s been a long time since I voted. So it’s really nice to see that our money went to something really nice,” Haney said.

The city said street paving should be complete by June 19.

Click below for the schedule of repairs:

Monterey Slurry Seal Schedule