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Angered Residents Say Yuba County Made Roads Worse With Preservation Plan

PLUMAS LAKE (CBS13) — A Yuba County project to extend the life of roads in Plumas Lake has residents saying the county actually made the roads even worse.

"It's terrible, our street was fine until they came out and did this," one neighbor said.

It's part of Yuba County's effort to preserve and extend the life of streets in Yuba County by coating them with a thin layer of black asphalt.

Officials say it could add decades to the life of streets without costly maintenance repairs or reconstruction.

Neighbors say it's more trouble than it's worth, and that the road is uneven, bumpy, and the loose tar is sticking to their cars.

"I was happy with the way it was before," said resident Nicole Taylor. "My kids can't even walk on the ground."

Tim Young, the assistant director with Yuba County Public Works is calling for patience.

"I understand not everyone is happy with it," he said. "The microsurface protects what's there. We want to protect it before it falls apart."

Young says the road is still going to be a little bumpy for the next couple of years before it evens out, but he insists it'll be worth the wait.

"We're trying to maximize our dollars especially in this economy and we're trying to spend our resources wisely," he said.

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