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PORT NECHES — Year two of street projects under Port Neches’ Street Maintenance Sales Tax funding were recently approved with work set to start later this year.

The projects are: West Avenue at 8^th Street to FM 365, 7^th Street at FM 366 to Texas, Goodwin at FM 365 to 8^th Street, Sun at 8^th Street to FM 365, Wagner at Port Neches Avenue to Heisler, and Doornbos at 8^th Street to FM 365.

The cost for the hot mix asphalt concrete projects, which includes construction and engineering, comes to $350,228.

In 2019, voters approved a proposition where the city would reduce the economic development sales tax form one-half of 1 percent to one-quarter of 1 percent for the adoption of a local sale and use tax to provide revenue for maintenance and repair of public municipal streets.

The reallocation of sales tax took effect in 2020 but expenditures did not begin until 2021. The reason for the delay was for the funds to grow for large-scale projects.

City Manager Andre Wimer said the first use of the funds was last year and the adopted list of work is a continuation of the multi-year plan presented to city council in 2021.

“This work will have to be bid, so there is not a defined start or completion date at this time; however, the work will occur during the summer months,” Wimer said.

Public Works Director Taylor Shelton pointed out a section on Grigsby near City Hall that was the recipient of the HMAC as part of the inaugural work.

Roads that have been the recipient of chip seal — another type of roadwork, and that are in good condition are chosen as possible projects.

The roads that do receive the HMAC are good for another 7-10 years and may last longer than that, Shelton said.

Council also approved a list of roads for repair as part of their annual street projects.

Every year staff compiles a lit of streets to be chip sealed “based on roadway condition, usage, coordination or conflict with the other infrastructure projects, etc.,” according to city officials.

The work is done in collaboration with Jefferson County Precinct 2 personnel and equipment.

Wimer said the request for assistance from the county has been in the 3-5 mile range.

As for a timeline, there is no firm one yet as the work is done according to the county’s schedule and typically occurs during the summer months.

Shelton explained that chip seal, the process used in the annual streets program, is one that improves the surface texture and seals the road from moisture.

The work process for the chip seal program goes quickly but preserves the roads and gives some extra life to them.

The 2022 Chip Seal Project includes the following streets: 6^th street from north of Magnolia to Williams, 7^th Street from north of Magnolia to Williams (dead end), Dallas from New to Lee Avenue, Herring from 8^th Street to the dead end, Avenue D from Merriman Street to Main Avenue, Port Neches Avenue from Llano Street to Merriman Street, Avenue C from Llano Street to Main Avenue, Ordway from Port Neches Avenue to Eugene, Armstrong Street from 5^th Street to Magnolia, 9^th Street from Magnolia to Eugene and 10^th Street from Magnolia to Welsh North (dead end).