ROAD ADVISORY: City of Palm Bay Launches Comprehensive Pavement Study

Starting this month, the City of Palm Bay will begin a Pavement Condition Index (PCI) study to evaluate the health of our local infrastructure. This project is a critical step in guiding future paving decisions and determining the next phases of the GO Roads Paving Program.A Strategic Pivot for Palm BayThis study represents a major shift in how the city manages your tax dollars. In early 2025, City Council and Public Works leadership authorized this review to move away from predetermined “phases” and toward a system that prioritizes roads based on actual damage and high traffic volume.Public Works Director Kevin Brinkley noted that the city’s last comprehensive study was conducted in 2016. After nearly a decade, this update is necessary to determine the “truth of our reality” regarding current road conditions. By scientifically reviewing the sub-base and surface of our 791 miles of roadway, the city aims to avoid “chasing good money after bad” and ensure that bond funds are spent where they are needed most.What to Expect on the RoadBetween January and April 30, 2026, residents will see a specialized vehicle named IrisPRO Pave navigating city streets. This vehicle is equipped with high-tech cameras and sensors designed to detect cracks, surface wear, and slope.The IrisPRO Pave operates like a standard vehicle and moves at normal traffic speeds. As a result, there should be little to no disruption to your daily commute.Study Scope and ExclusionsWhile the study is extensive, it will focus specifically on city-maintained asphalt roads. The following areas are excluded from this project:* Private subdivisions* Dirt roads* Concrete roads* Local roads within the “Compound” areaWhy This Matters for TaxpayersPrevious road projects revealed that some streets deteriorated faster than expected because original bases were not thick enough. This study allows engineers to identify if a road needs simple resurfacing or more intensive Full Depth Reclamation. By using this data, the city can maximize the remaining $50 million in authorized GO Road Bond funds.Next StepsOnce the data collection is finalized in late April, the findings will be presented to the Palm Bay City Council. This information will serve as the roadmap for identifying future improvement projects and planning the long-term maintenance of our city’s streets.The Palm Bayer will continue to monitor the progress of this study and provide updates as the data is released to the public. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepalmbayer.com