06/02/2026
🚧 ROADWAY PAVEMENT ANALYSIS UNDERWAY IN CHEROKEE COUNTY 🚧
If you notice vehicles equipped with large cameras and specialized equipment traveling on Cherokee County owned roadways over the coming weeks, there's no cause for concern.
As part of the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant awarded to Cherokee County in 2024, the County has begun a comprehensive pavement condition assessment of all county-owned roadways.
The specialized equipment mounted on these vehicles collects detailed roadway data, including pavement cracking, surface deterioration, ride quality, and other roadway condition factors. This information is then used to develop a Pavement Condition Index (PCI) score for each roadway segment, providing an objective measurement of roadway condition.
We know many residents may be thinking, "You don't need a camera to tell us our roads need work."
And you're right — many roads do need attention.
However, effective infrastructure management requires more than simply knowing a road is in poor condition. It requires understanding exactly which roads are in the greatest need, how quickly conditions are changing, where limited resources will have the greatest impact, and how to prioritize projects fairly across the county.
For decades, roadway conditions have often been evaluated using visual observations and limited data. This project will allow Cherokee County to establish a comprehensive inventory of roadway conditions and create a consistent, unbiased scoring system for future paving recommendations.
The collected data will also be integrated into the County's pavement management and GIS systems, allowing staff to better track roadway assets, monitor deterioration over time, plan maintenance activities, and make smarter long-term capital investment decisions.
Just as a homeowner keeps track of the condition of their roof, HVAC system, and major appliances, local governments must actively monitor the condition of critical infrastructure. Roads are among the County's most valuable assets, and managing them effectively helps ensure taxpayer dollars are spent where they can make the greatest impact.
This project represents an important step toward a more data-driven, transparent, and proactive approach to roadway maintenance in Cherokee County.
We appreciate the public's patience as these vehicles travel county roadways and look forward to using this information to better serve our residents for years to come.
