Town budgeted $80,000 for roadwork this year

TRYON — The town of Tryon is coming up with a street repair plan that should include several roads being repaved this year.

The Tryon Town Council met Tuesday and heard from Town Manager Zach Ollis, who sought direction on which streets to add to the town’s list.

Commissioners budgeted $80,000 this fiscal year for street repairs and repaving. Of the total, $65,000 will come from state-funded Powell Bill money and another $15,000 is coming from the town’s general fund.

Currently, Tryon officials are looking at repaving Carson Street, Hog Back Mountain Road, Chestnut Street, Beaver Street and Carolina Drive.

“We have worked to budget for $80,000 worth of Powell Bill expenditures this year,” Ollis said. “We are working to secure multiple quotes for certain projects around town.”

Ollis has received estimates for some of the streets, including $67,000 for Carson Street, $28,000 for Beaver Street and $54,000 for Carolina Drive.

Commissioner Crys Armbrust said the paving needs could be up to $225,000.

“It could be up there, yes sir,” Ollis said.

Armbrust said he does not think any of the streets should be removed from the list.

“I think we should consider providing funds to do all of them,” Armbrust said. “You can’t say we don’t have the money. That would be untrue.”

Tryon Mayor Alan Peoples said there are limited funds and, apparently, unlimited needs.

Commissioner Chrelle Booker asked about Cleveland Street.

Ollis said the paving of Cleveland has been discussed before, but in order to pave and widen it, the town would have to cut into the mountain.

Ollis said he would put Markham Road and Cleveland Street on the list for standard paving. He said widening is what Cleveland really needs, but he will look into paving.

A resident from the audience suggested making Cleveland Street a one-way street because it gets dangerous. Ollis said if the residents are in favor of that, the town could look into it.

Last fiscal year, Tryon paved Aspen Street and School Street.

“If we can get a handful done this year, we can do more next year,” Ollis said.