Gates Mills Village Council authorized competitive bidding for a $1.014 million road improvement program for 2026, continuing the village’s push to upgrade aging street infrastructure after a data-driven approach showed significant progress.
The Oct. 21 vote allows the village to solicit bids for resurfacing work on Kovven Lane, Glenwood Road, Beverly Drive, Chelsea Lane, and Settlers Ridge, along with county road maintenance, local road maintenance, and culvert and drainage improvements.
Village Engineer Chris Courtney presented an updated assessment showing the village has raised its overall pavement condition index from 62 in 2022 to 68 in 2025 through sustained investment. The improvement came by increasing annual spending from $500,000 to $600,000 to approximately $1 million per year.
Courtney said the village initially faced about $6 million in road rehabilitation needs three years ago. By using high-definition video analysis and artificial intelligence through Pavement Management Group, officials identified the worst roads and developed a strategic five-year plan to bring all streets into fair or better condition.
The village has eliminated most roads classified as failed, moving them into the good or excellent category through complete reconstruction or resurfacing. With aggressive maintenance including crack filling and surface treatments, resurfaced roads should last 15 to 20 years before requiring major work again.
Before-and-after video showed the dramatic improvement on roads like Blackberry Lane, which went from severe edge cracking and center line failures in the 30s rating range to the 90s after reconstruction.
The 2026 program includes $564,000 dedicated to actual road resurfacing projects. Settlers Ridge received particular attention due to substantial damage from a large home renovation project, with the village seeking up to $100,000 in contribution from the contractor responsible for the damage.
Looking ahead, the village has planned road work through 2030, organizing projects geographically to maximize efficiency. Mayfield Road is scheduled for 2027 when the state undertakes its own improvements, with the village contributing 20 percent of costs for coordination.
Service Director Dave Biggert and engineer Chip Auwerter assisted in developing the comprehensive analysis. Council members praised the scientific approach to road management, which allows for long-term budget planning and ensures tax dollars are spent effectively.
Councilman Michael Press asked about the timing of the presentation, noting the complex material was not circulated in advance. Courtney explained the pavement management group completed its final assessment only three weeks prior, and officials wanted to present results during the budget planning cycle.
The village expects to award contracts in February or early March 2026 after reviewing bids. Work would begin in spring and wrap up by midyear, allowing the village to claim county reimbursement dollars in the same fiscal year.
Related: Gates Mills Fire Department Gains New Firefighter, Seeks Bids for Million-Dollar Engine | Sidewalk Project Advances After Council Reviews Three Design Options
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