If you've driven down Main Street in Monroe, past our Transportation Department, in the last week, you've likely noticed some major changes happening. Thanks to funding from the capital projects bond approved by local voters in 2015, the parking lot for our fleet of buses and district vehicles is getting a much-needed overhaul.

Despite regular maintenance, the constant wear and tear of heavy buses and harsh Pacific Northwest weather has led to the deterioration of the site's asphalt, causing uneven driving surfaces riddled with potholes and ruts. While the potholes have been continually patched year after year by district maintenance staff, holes continue to emerge and the asphalt continues to deteriorate, causing unsafe driving conditions for bus drivers who often navigate the parking lot in the dark. These potholes and uneven driving surfaces have also caused unnecessary wear and tear on buses, often resulting in costly vehicle repairs.

The rehabilitation project, which kicked off the week of June 27, involves the total replacement of all asphalt and concrete paving on site, outside the footprint of any existing buildings and portables. After removing all of the existing asphalt and concrete, proper soil will be properly compacted, and drainage rock will be added, before receiving a brand new layer of asphalt. Addressing the soil compaction underlying the asphalt instead of just paving over the existing asphalt will lead to long-term sustainability of the parking lot.

Through meetings with the community, the resurfacing project was identified as a major need by the Capital Facilities Committee, made up of staff and community members, in 2014 prior to placing the capital project bond on the ballot in 2015. With the major construction projects promised to voters as part of the capital projects bond now complete, such as the modernization of Park Place Middle School, Salem Woods Elementary and Frank Wagner Elementary, Monroe School District now has the time and resources to complete the smaller maintenance and improvement projects also promised to voters, such as this one.

Learn more about the capital project bond passed in 2015 and the projects it funds here