By NEAL WAGNER / City Editor

Drivers on several Pelham roads soon could have a much smoother drive, as the city likely will fund more than $1.5 million in repaving projects during the 2014 budget year.

During its past few budget hearings, the City Council discussed the repaving projects, along with other capital improvements proposed throughout the city.

Mayor Gary Waters recently said the city has selected the “top 20 roads that need repaving” to fund during the next year.

“There are a lot of roads in Pelham that need work,” Waters said during an Oct. 22 meeting with city business owners, noting the city is looking to fund several repaving projects each fiscal year.

Waters said the 20 roads proposed for repaving this year are, Royal Way, Royal Circle, Martha Circle, Royal Court, Chandamont Circle, Yeager Parkway, Commerce Drive, Weatherly Way, Pemberton Place, King’s Crest Lane, McCain Parkway, Pardue Road, Monroe Drive, Industrial Park Drive, Parker Drive, Thames Court and Stuart Lane.

The list also includes repaving Stonehaven Trail from Stonehaven Drive to Walker Way, repaving Weatherly Club Drive from Oxford Way to Cove Lane and adding a right turn lane from Lee Street onto Shelby County 52.