Ask Perplexity AI: When Will Amherst’s Roads Be in Good Condition?

This week we introduce a new occasional column from Ira Bryck entitled Ask Perplexity AI. The columns will pose a question to Perplexity AI along with a collection of data and will explore the analysis that AI returns. Bryck understands that Artificial Intelligence is not Actual Intelligence, but it’s better than Real Stupid; and like life, it’s garbage in, garbage out.

The Ask
I asked perplexity.ai: how many miles of town roads are there in Amherst, Massachusetts? What percent of those town roads are in need of repair? How much does it cost to pave one mile of road, in the specs of a town road in Amherst, Massachusetts? How much of the town budget is allocated for road repair? At that rate, in what year would Amherst’s town roads be in overall good condition, with little or no delayed maintenance?

The Answer
Amherst has approximately 100 miles of town-owned and maintained roads. According to recent assessments, there is a $48.9 million backlog in road repairs needed to fully fix crumbling roads and fill potholes. The cost to pave a mile of road varies significantly based on specifications, but using industry standards for municipal roads:

• Basic rule of thumb is at least $1 million per mile for complete repaving
  
• For Amherst’s specifications (typically 25-30 feet wide), costs would be higher due to the need for proper drainage, curbing, and other infrastructure

Current Budget and Repair Timeline:

For fiscal year 2024, Amherst allocated $2.494 million for roads and sidewalks, which was noted as the “largest single year investment in the town’s history” However, for FY2025:

• The road repair budget has been cut by half
  
• The town will receive an additional $383,386 from the state’s Fair Share Amendment

Projected Timeline:

At the current funding levels, Amherst cannot catch up with needed repairs:

• The town is making less progress each year due to increasing costs
  
• With $48.9 million in needed repairs and approximately $2.5 million in annual funding (assuming consistent levels), it would take nearly 20 years to address all current repair needs

This timeline doesn’t account for:

• New deterioration occurring during this period
  
• Inflation in repair costs
  
• Reduced funding levels as seen in FY2025

The data suggests there is no clear timeline for when all town roads would be in good condition under current funding levels.

Perplexity AI is a conversational search engine that uses large language models (LLMs) to answer queries using sources from the web and cites links within the text response. Its developer, Perplexity AI, Inc., is based in San Francisco, CA. (source: Wikipedia)

Read previous Ask Perplexity AI columns here.