• Originally published July 18, 2008 at 8:53 p.m., updated July 18, 2008 at 8:53 p.m.

We’ve heard it said that Victorians who were saddened over the closure of Six Flags Astroworld, with its Texas Twister roller coaster ride, could always get the same thrill by taking a drive up or down Sam Houston Drive.

While we admit that’s a Texas-size overstatement, we are nevertheless in total agreement with those who say Sam Houston is one of the worst thoroughfares in Victoria and long overdue for major repairs.

The most pressing area of need, city council, staff and most drivers agree, is the stretch between Houston Highway going north to where Laurent Street dead ends into Sam Houston. From there to its end at Navarro, Sam Houston was already resurfaced in recent years. Also, the once-dangerous curve there, just before reaching Navarro, was straightened to a driveable degree at the same time.

The city staff estimates that, depending on whether the Sam Houston fix is a short-term resurfacing or a 40-year concrete rebuilding, the bill for it will be between $13 million and $35 million.

A compromise proposed by city Public Works Director Lynn Short would cost $22.5 million. Under his plan, the new Sam Houston would be concrete, but due to the high costs, there would only be money enough for a stretch from Miori Lane to the Laurent crossing.

“Then we won’t worry about the rest of it right now,” Short said. “We could come along later and consider rebuilding the rest.”

While the city estimates it cannot begin any work on Sam Houston before 2011, some business owners interviewed by Advocate reporter David Tewes said that was not soon enough. Charles Fisher, owneer of Fisher Auto Sales on Sam Houston, told the reporter, “They’re not going to have a road left by 2011.”

That may be an overstatement once again, but the plain fact is that the road is going bad quite quickly, and already takes a toll on the tires and suspension systems of cars venturing down it.

It is said that this road predates Texas independence, possibly going back as far as 1824. And some disgruntled citizens might sneer and say it was probably in better shape back then.

OK, admittedly another big overstatement.

Nevertheless, we urge the city to place Sam Houston among its highest street-improvement plans, and to proceed with paving work as soon as it is possible.

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