Howland Road in Lathrop is a small stretch of roadway bordering the old JR Simplot property.

Some road work is needed in order to correct existing pavement deficiencies.

Last week, the Lathrop City Council approved the creation of the Capital Improvement Project for the Howland Road Pavement Rehabilitation.

The project calls for providing a 3-inch hot mixt asphalt overlay on the existing surface to seal and restore the roadway.

The CIP will help with the funding.

“Because sufficient funds were not allocated in the approved (2025-2026 fiscal year) budget, staff also requested an approval of a budget amendment transferring $222,000 from the General Fund Street Repair Reserves to the CIP Project Fund to establish the project, fund design engineering services, and fund construction,” according to staff at the Nov. 10 monthly session.

Back in April, elected leaders awarded a Professional Services Agreement to Black Water Consulting Engineers on another nearby project (McKinley Avenue Force Main Intertie Project, awarded to Mozingo Construction Inc. in September).

Due to design complexities and location of existing utilities on Yosemite Avenue, adjacent to a small portion of the Simplot property, staff approached Simplot regarding the acquisition.

Simplot agreed to do so contingent upon the City of Lathrop handling repairs to Howland Road.

The City drafted a Pavement Repair and Maintenance Agreement with Simplot. In it, the City is committed to complete the Howland Road repair by this July 31.

“Creating the CIP will correct existing pavement deficiencies, enhance motorist safety, and satisfy a condition of the Pavement Repair and Maintenance Agreement with Simplot,” staff said.