Kochise County officials have addressed important challenges related to road maintenance and fundraising in their recent work sessions. A significant point of discussion was the limitations set by Arizona laws, which restrict the county’s fundraising capability to only $280,000 for various construction projects. This constraint results in inefficiencies, leaving county workers often idle due to a lack of road construction opportunities.

There’s a clear need for an updated fundraising strategy to incentivize counties to enhance and maintain their roads. Currently, the distribution of gasoline tax revenue, which is set at 18.5 cents per gallon, is skewed towards cities—receiving between 19% and 31% based on population. This approach has drawn criticism for stifling proactive road maintenance and improvements as the county faces penalties that exceed budget constraints.

Officials also compared the costs of asphalt resurfacing versus tip sealing for road repairs. They noted that tip sealing is considerably more affordable, averaging between $25,000 to $30,000 per mile, while asphalt can cost around $1 million. Most roads in the county are treated with tip seal, which raises questions about their long-term durability, especially given the strain of heavy truck traffic.

Currently, the county is in the design phase for Mohsen Road, a project anticipated to take 20 years and cost approximately $50 million, mainly due to necessary bridge structures and improvements in drainage. Authorities emphasized the urgency of addressing drainage problems that impact 90% of the paved roads in the region.

As Cochise County faces these financial and operational challenges, the development of a strategic plan for road maintenance and funding remains crucial to ensure a safe and dependable transportation network for its residents.