Golis: Going down that long, bumpy road

I took a ride on the wild side last week, negotiating the bends and bumps of Sonoma Mountain Road, Lichau Road, Piner Road, Frei Road, Ross Road, Mill Station Road, Joy Road and Irwin Lane. You will recognize some of the usual suspects — roads that show up on the short list of the worst roads in Sonoma County.

In my notes, certain words keep appearing over and over again — bumpy, uneven, narrow, winding, patchwork, potholed. Many of these roads offer no space to pull over in an emergency. Some narrow in places to a single lane.

If I didn't mention your own least favorite road, incidentally, I mean no offense. I've driven many of them as well, and I'm here to testify they are no less ragged.

Even on a beautiful fall day in Sonoma County, there's a reason local roads perennially rank among the worst in the Bay Area. (You can cast your vote for your least favorite road at www.pressdemocrat.com/rottenroads).

You probably noticed that the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors last week discovered an extra $13.5 million for road repairs and managed — at least for now — to quiet the board's loudest critics.

Still, no one is under the illusion that this issue is going away. County officials estimate they would need to spend $954 million over the next 20 years to put things right.

The board came up with additional money for roads on the day after the intrepid folks who live along Freezeout Road threatened to withhold property tax payments until their road is repaired.

Their protest becomes county government's reward for allocating some property tax revenues to road improvements. Most counties don't, choosing to rely almost entirely on apportionments from federal and state gas taxes.

In the contest for road monies, the 1.4 miles of Freezeout Road becomes the most unlikely of entries. The road's been neglected, for sure, but you could live your whole life in Sonoma County without ever knowing where it is, much less drive on it. (Freezeout Road parallels the south side of the Russian River between the Jenner bridge and Duncans Mills.)

For the record: David Sundstorm, the county tax collector, told Staff Writer Angela Hart that a failure to pay taxes on time would lead to penalties. 'The rules are very strict,' he said, 'I won't have a choice.'

In Sonoma County and throughout California, roads and highways have been neglected for a long time. For elected officials, the path of least resistance made it easy to cut road maintenance budgets rather than reduce spending on other government programs. After all, it would be years before anyone noticed.

Now we're noticing what happens when roads are not maintained — and we have a lot of catching up to do. What's worse, the rainy season is sure to bring more potholes.

In California, the backlog of deferred maintenance is now pegged at $59 billion for state highways and bridges and $78 billion for local roads and streets.

As with so many contemporary issues, the failure to find solutions comes down to trust — or lack of same.

In March, a survey found that most Californians want more money spent on highways, roads and bridges, but fewer than a third said they would support higher taxes or fees to pay for the repairs.

In June, the Board of Supervisors spent $450,000 on a special election, only to see a sales tax for road repairs overwhelmingly rejected. Despite endorsements from elected officials, business and environmental groups, only 38 percent of the electorate supported the measure.

Opponents said the board couldn't be trusted to spend the money, as promised, on roads.

Sonoma County is disadvantaged by a system in which population becomes a major factor in allocating gas tax revenues. With almost 1,400 miles of country roads, this sprawling county has more than twice as many miles of rural roads as any other Bay Area county. Meanwhile, gasoline tax revenues are falling because more people are driving hybrid, electric and more fuel-efficient, gas-powered cars.

Over the last three years, the Board of Supervisor's systematic approach to repairing bad roads has been impressive — proof that road advocates have gotten the board's attention. (You can download the latest two-year construction plan or report a road problem at the Transportation and Public Works roads division website: sonomacounty.ca.gov/TPW/Roads).

Still, the backlog is daunting, and other priorities — public safety, social services, housing and more — remain.

Susan Klassen, the county's transportation and public works director, acknowledged the challenge. 'Yes, a lot of roads are in poor condition, and they're a rough ride,' she said, 'but at this point, with the amount of money we have, most of them are going to remain a rough ride.'

Driving the back roads of Sonoma County provides a reminder that it may be a long time before some roads are modernized. Patience is advised.

Pete Golis is a columnist for The Press Democrat. Email him at golispd@gmail.com.