COLUMBIA — Anyone who's navigated a pothole-riddled stretch of city road on a rainy morning will be glad to hear this: the City of Columbia is advancing a comprehensive Pavement Management and Preservation Program aimed at smarter, more accountable road maintenance. The city has partnered with Alfred Benesch and Company and subconsultant Citylogix to collect high-resolution roadway data, analyze pavement performance, and build a long-term prioritized maintenance strategy.
Using advanced imaging, LiDAR, and 360-degree high-definition data collection across the city's 235 centerline miles of roadway, the program will give officials a precise picture of where repairs are needed most. The final Pavement Management Plan is expected to be completed by December 2026, with data collection and analysis underway now. Mayor Chaz Molder said the effort is about investing in Columbia's future, while City Manager Tony Massey noted the data-driven approach will help the city prioritize projects more effectively and extend the life of its road network — stretching taxpayer dollars further.