The Andover City Council unanimously approved plans and specifications for three forthcoming street projects. Each vote was 4-0, with Council Member Karen Godfrey absent.
Public Works Director Dave Berkowitz outlined the first project, a full reconstruction in Creekridge Estates involving Kerry Street, Jonquil Street and 145th Avenue.
The roads are rated a three on Andover’s pavement condition scale, which ranges from one to 10. At that rating, reconstruction is necessary to bring streets back to city standards.
After design is completed, the city will solicit bids, with construction expected to begin in May or June.
The project includes reclaiming the existing blacktop surface, with some of the underlying gravel reused on the streets and excess material hauled away.
About 20% of the concrete curb will be removed and replaced. The roads are about 40 years old, and much of the existing curb has lasted through that time.
Several storm sewer structures in the area are constructed of block material that deteriorates over time. Three of those structures will be replaced.
Subgrade issues have also been identified on 145th Avenue, which was built over clay. The road has experienced recurring problems over the past four to five years, including a period when the city was forced to close it.
Following subgrade correction, crews will reshape the gravel base and pave two layers, beginning with a base course and ending with a final wear course of bituminous pavement, with restoration completed in areas where curb is replaced.
The estimated total cost of the project is $499,100. Of that, the city’s share is estimated at $374,000, with $125,000 assessed to property owners. The assessment averages $2,120 for each of 59 units.
Under the proposed special assessment roll, a 4.5% interest rate over five annual payments would result in an annual charge of $482.92.
Bids for the project will be received in late March 2026.
Residents may pay the assessment in full without interest within one month of the assessment hearing, or have it certified to their property taxes from 2027 through 2031.
Council Member Scott Schue asked how the city’s one-to-10 pavement rating system works.
City staff visually evaluates roughly one-third of Andover’s roads each year, with plans to incorporate more analytical data in future assessments.
“At this point, it’s a visual rating,” Berkowitz said. “We’ve now worked with the company, we’re gonna get more analytical data to help us along so it’s not just visual.”
Roads rated between two and four typically show fatigue cracking, also known as alligator cracking, which indicates failure of the pavement and some of its underlying structure and signals the need for reconstruction or full-depth reclamation.
The second project involves reconstruction in East Round Lake Estates, affecting 150th Lane, 149th Lane and Ivywood Street Northwest.
The area is also rated a three but does not have curb, relying instead on roadside ditches. The reconstruction process will mirror the first project, with reclaimed gravel reused within the roadway and as shoulder material.
Some existing culverts will be replaced as part of the project, with metal culverts exchanged for concrete.
Afterward, crews will shape the gravel, pave the base course and complete restoration, which will be more extensive due to the absence of curb.
The estimated total cost of the project is $308,700, with the city responsible for $231,400 and assessments totaling $77,300. The average assessment is $6,440 for each of 12 units.
With eight annual payments at a 4.5% interest rate, the annual charge would be $976.37.
Bids will be received in late March 2026. If certified to property taxes, assessments would run from 2026 through 2034.
The third project involves full-depth reclamation in the North Glen area and Woodland Pond, including a frontage road along the east side of the neighborhood.
The area is northeast of Bunker Lake Boulevard in the southwest corner of the city and west of Round Lake Boulevard.
The neighborhood is rated a three.
North Glen Addition was built between 1980 and 1985, placing the roads at 41 to 46 years old.
Because the area contains extensive curb, the contractor will reclaim all existing bituminous pavement. About 35% of the curb is expected to be replaced.
A short section of curb along Undercliff Street on the east side, north of the commercial development to 139th Lane, will also be addressed, with curb and gutter installed.
The estimated total cost of the project is $1,984,000, with the city’s portion estimated at $1,487,700 and assessments totaling $496,300.
The average assessment is $2,330 for each of 213 units. At a 4.5% interest rate over five years, the annual payment would be $530.75.
Bids will be received in late March 2026, with assessments certified to property taxes from 2027 through 2031.