A Zillion Dollars of Asphalt

Today, the Austin City Council approved a proposal for primary and secondary providers of “hot mix asphalt concrete” for the city’s roads. I scanned over today’s agenda and what stood out to me were the ginormous dollar amounts attached to the approval- the City approved $20,422,334 for asphalt… ASPHALT! It seems so exorbitant and while I’m sure Austin (not Texas, we’re just talking about Austin) will use all of this asphalt, it feels like the city just went to dad and said, “hey dad, I know that Diesel jeans are like waaay expensive and I *could* wear Old Navy, but I really need them to fit in, pleeeeeease?” knowing full well he’d say yes if I did the pouty eyes. Hey Austin, can I have $20mill [insert pouty lips here]? I could use it too, you know!

Wynn Won’t Be In A Jam Again

The other agenda note that stuck out to me happens to also be concrete related. Remember when a construction truck at the Monarch site blocked the road, stopped traffic during the morning rush hour and Mayor Will Wynn hopped out of his car, used some of my favorite cuss words and told them to get their butts out of the street for at least an hour? I think he’s got a GREAT solution cooked up in a recommendation for city council he’s co-sponsored… in the future, concrete may be poured by permit from 7pm to 6am in the Central Business District and I would assume the main goal is traffic congestion since so many new high rises are sprouting in that area.

With so many moving parts in our city, it’s always good to keep an eye on what’s up with the City’s agenda. What do YOU think about the millions being spent on asphalt and the possibility of permitted overnight concrete pouring?