Dear Editor:
I am dismayed that the City of Springfield spent over $11.2 million on the Mill St improvements. Mill Street definitely needed repairs, but this project cost more than 50% the entire five-year bond measure for street repairs approved in 2024. There are so many neglected streets in Springfield that need minor and major repairs, making a large expenditure on one minor arterial seem irresponsible.
The design and subsequent construction costs are way out of line for this street improvement. Asphalt could have been used instead of concrete. On-street bike lanes could have been designed instead of a more expensive separation. High, concrete speed bumps seem like overkill and more expensive than needed. These speed bumps and those on “D” St. are expensive wastes of money that could have been utilized for asphalt or rubber speed control humps like those employed on Centennial, 21st-28th streets.
There are so many Road Fund needs going unmet in Springfield. Public Works Engineering and Maintenance divisions should focus on cost-effective improvements to the City’s streets.
Of the six projects identified in the 2024 Bond Measure 20-351, none have even gone to bid, according to the City’s website. We believe residents want safe, functional streets, not necessarily costly, over-designed roadways. We should see better street-maintenance outcomes from the $8.3 million Road Fund investment in FY26.
George Jessie, Springfield
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