One in four London roads needs a big fix or a major overhaul, says a sobering new analysis going to politicians next week.

But it’s not just the blacktop that’s in trouble — roughly half the street lights and traffic signals in the city are in the same boat.

The condition of the local, secondary and arterial roads is one of several issues in a city hall report that underscore staff’s call for a long-term funding plan to keep London’s “transportation infrastructure” in solid shape.

Otherwise, warns transportation boss Edward Soldo, “business suffers, accident frequency increases, wear and tear on vehicles increases, emergency response deteriorates, the environment is negatively impacted, congestion increases and opportunities are lost.”

The numbers aren’t all bad, but the financial implications for city hall are stark.

Today, the difference between what’s needed to properly maintain roads, street lights and other assets, and what’s available, is $34 million — a gap amount that could balloon to $270 million within the next decade.

A new funding model is needed, Soldo notes, given “the importance of the transportation system to our quality of life and economy.”

That new model will likely include tax increases, warns Ward 5 Coun. Joni Baechler.

“There is a gap and it has to be fixed. It is just escalating,” she said. “Previous councils didn’t set aside funding when they should have.”

In his report, Soldo suggests specific tax hikes could help close the gap between what’s being fixed and what’s needed, but he also urges city council to lobby Queen’s Park for “new revenue tools” to bankroll the needed repairs and maintenance.

Baechler expressed limited optimism about that possibility. Queen’s Park doesn’t like to hand out money, but the provincial government has put an emphasis on transportation, she said.

For example, money for transit systems that extend the life of roads could be available, Baechler said.

The numbers in London aren’t entirely dire: The amount of roads considered “good” to “very good” — meaning they’re well maintained and need only minor upkeep — jumped a few points to 56% last year, largely thanks to federal stimulus funding.

But there are growing concerns.

The report indicates existing funding allows a local road to be replaced only after 67 years, “well beyond the 40-year lifespan of the roadway.” To put it another way, new subdivision roads built today wouldn’t be replaced until 2080.

The issue will be debated Monday by council’s civic works committee.

-- with files by Free Press Reporter Randy Richmond

patrick.maloney@sunmedia.ca

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BY THE NUMBERS

$10 Billion: Estimated value of city’s roads, sewers, pipes, buildings, land, vehicles and other “assets.”

$2B: Estimated value of the city’s “transportation infrastructure,” things like roads, bridges and sidewalks.

83%: Sidewalks that are sound or require routine maintenance.

84%: Bridges that are functionally sound or need only routine maintenance.