OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — The mayor's plan splits the cost to repair unimproved roads with most homeowners but would foot the whole bill in some of Omaha's poorest neighborhoods. There are more than 300 miles of gravel roads or streets falling apart throughout Omaha.
"The city can't even patch potholes any more, it's down to the dirt, there's alligator cracks around and you can throw all the asphalt on you want and in a few months, it'll be gone," says Mayor Jean Stothert.
The mayor and city council appeared to come up with an agreement to split the cost with homeowners last year. But after the council added conditions, Mayor Stothert vetoed that plan.
Now, the mayor is again proposing that split but wants the city to fully pay for the fix in some areas, mostly in north and south Omaha.
Stothert says there's money in next year's budget only if a plan is in place.
"So if it is working really well and we're making good progress, and the city council is satisfied with it, we can always add more dollars when we approve a new capital improvement plan next summer," says Stothert.
Neighborhoods that don't qualify for that pool of money, can apply for community block grants.
The mayor calls the combination a good start to slowly fix the worst streets in Omaha.
"We have about 5,000 lane miles of road in the city of Omaha, they have been neglected for about 50 years, it has not been a priority," says Stothert.
You can find out if your neighborhood qualify for city help by using a tool on the city website that you find here.
