NIU is facing a street repair problem, and finding a solution might be difficult.

NIU-owned roads near the west residence halls were constructed about 20 years ago, when there was not a bus service of any kind, said Conrad Miller, physical plant project manager. The base of the roads was not designed to accommodate the weight of larger vehicles, he said.

Miller would not attribute the road damage solely to the Huskie Bus Line. Illinois weather and the freeze-thaw cycle has a major effect on the conditions of streets and sidewalks, he said.

The conditions of the roads can be attributed to “mother nature” and time as much as anything else, he said.

In a report by the city of DeKalb, Gary Boden, assistant to the city manager, detailed street damage in Greek Row attributed to the Huskie Bus Line. The report states the bus system’s impact upon deterioration of the streets is due to the pressure of the weight load displacement upon the axles.

The city’s engineering division estimated one bus trip is equal to 3,600 automobile trips. The department explains this by stating the pain caused by someone stepping on your foot with a high heel shoe is more intense than that of a tennis shoe.

DeKalb engineering staff member Ralph Tompkins would not make any correlation between the city’s report and NIU-owned streets. He declined further comment.

The physical plant is in charge of stop-gap measures (including resurfacing, seal coating and patching) for NIU roads. “The roads were not designed for buses,” said Tom Anderson, grounds foreman of physical plant. Anderson declined further comment.

NIU would need “$2 million to repair and reconstruct those streets and sections of streets in NIU which accommodate bus traffic,” Miller said. Streets are under a priority status. Lincoln Drive, in front of Lincoln Hall between the traffic lights and the intersection of Stadium Drive East is the first priority. Stadium Drive South is next on the priority list, Miller said.

Miller said the monetary figures are somewhat dated, and are by no means “carved in stone.” When the roads are repaired to suit bus traffic there is no guarantee the bus routes will not change, he said.

NIU recognizes the street condition needs attention, John Harrod, physical plant director, said.

NIU is looking for funds for a study to look into the situation. NIU has not pinpointed a source of funding for the study, which would cost about $50,000, Harrod said.

Buses are a factor in the street deterioration but there are semi trucks, garbage trucks, snow plows and other heavy vehicles that travel on the university streets, said Phil Kessler, mass transit board chairman.

The Huskie Bus Line has been servicing NIU students since 1971. The bus line is a private enterprise and is not a part of NIU, said Charles Battista, manager of the Huskie Bus Lines. NIU has not said anything to the bus line about damage to the streets, he said.

The physical plant is gathering data to study the situation, Miller said.