<p>COLUMBIA — The City of Columbia is moving forward with a comprehensive Pavement Management and Preservation Program, partnering with engineering firm Alfred Benesch and Company and its subconsultant Citylogix to assess and prioritize repairs across the city's 235 centerline miles of roadway. The initiative was announced in April and data collection is now underway.</p><p>The program uses advanced imaging, LiDAR technology, and 360-degree high-definition data collection to document roadway conditions with precision. The goal is a long-term, prioritized maintenance strategy that extends pavement life, reduces long-term costs, and gives city leaders reliable data before committing public funds to repairs. Mayor Chaz Molder framed it plainly: investing in infrastructure is investing in the future of Columbia. City Manager Tony Massey added that reliable analytics allow the city to prioritize projects more effectively.</p><p>The program will also produce standardized plans for future projects, community education materials, and multiple budget scenarios — giving elected officials and residents a clearer picture of what's needed and what it will cost. For taxpayers tired of watching the same pothole get patched twice, this kind of systematic planning is long overdue.</p>