Because of budget constraints, Burien has gone without any asphalt overlay to any of their streets for two years. There are no plans to do it this year.
After the annexation of the northern portion of North Highline on April 1, Burien will have new streets to maintain as well.
Burien Public Works Director Larry Blanchard told the City Council at their meeting March 1 they need to think about a strategy to keep the city's roads up.
Overall the Burien's streets are in good shape at the moment. But the longer streets go without maintenance the more expensive they become to repair.
In seven years, if nothing is done to the roads all of the streets in Burien will either be failed or failing, Blanchard said. When a street fails the road has to be completely removed and the road has to be rebuilt from the foundation underneath the asphalt up.
Mayor Joan McGilton blamed the drop in sales tax for the city's inability to budget money for repaving over the last couple of years.
"It is not the city being irresponsible with tax funds," McGilton said. "We haven't had the funds."
Councilman Jack Block said he did not want Burien's streets to be "maintained to third world standards like South Seattle."
Block said that by spending the money now they would be saving money later. As a road degrades the options required to repair it become more expensive. The more money the city can spend on repairing the streets now will save them money in the long run.
The council was in agreement something needed to be done with their streets. What is not known is where the money would come from, or how much work on the streets the council wants done.
"If there is no money, there is no overlay," McGilton said.
She added the community has a responsibility to help.
Block suggested issuing bonds to raise the money. He said the city is not in a position to raise taxes.
A date has not been set, but the council talked about holding a study session on a Monday there is no regular council meeting to discuss the roads.