Montpelier Road Assessment Cost Drops to $6,000 After Pricing Error

From the Montpelier Board of Works & Safety meeting on May 13, 2026

A pricing error cut Montpelier's road assessment plan nearly in half. USI Consultants discovered the mistake in the pavement asset management plan (PAMP) the Board approved last month. The corrected price is approximately $6,000 — down from the originally quoted $13,000. The Board approved a new authorization at the lower amount.

The assessment system works by attaching a scanning device to a vehicle that drives every street in town, producing a video record and automated evaluation of road conditions. The scanner replaces the traditional PASER study and may eliminate the need for core-drilling roads. The mayor noted the device will eventually be able to flag property standards issues from the same drive-through. The scanner will likely be mounted on a police patrol vehicle since officers already drive every street twice per shift.

Mayor Nef discussed plans for a $1.2 million to $2 million Community Crossings grant application for 2027 to cover roads and sidewalks. He noted the city's current PASER rating is approximately 3.x — considered poor — and the city is working aggressively to catch up.

The city also reminded residents of its 50% sidewalk replacement match program, which is separate from Community Crossings grants.

Source: YouTube transcript — City of Montpelier - Board of Works & Safety Meeting - May 13, 2026

Some information may be inaccurate due to video audio quality.