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Construction crews work at Main and Meridian March 24, a day after the intersection was unexpectedly closed.

Main intersection closes early
By Chris Strunk
Last Updated: March 26, 2015

A wrench was thrown into the works, and it was a big one.

The construction contractor and the city's engineering firm working on the Ford and Meridian reconstruction project in Valley Center decided to close Main and Meridian on March 23, about two months ahead of schedule and to the surprise of many downtown business owners and residents.

City engineer Josh Golka, who works for PEC, said the contractor, UCI, wanted to start on the intersection sooner because manpower and materials were available to get the job done more efficiently.

"UCI believes, from an efficiency standpoint, that tackling the intersection now will be beneficial to the overall project," City Administrator Joel Pile said in a March 23 email.

The work is part of a larger, $6.5 million project to improve stormwater drainage in and around downtown Valley Center.

Along with Main and Meridian, a section of South Meridian surrounding the railroad tracks was also closed March 23.

The closures were announced to the public this week as the work was getting started. They are expected to be closed through April 29.

The closures essentially created northbound and southbound barriers to the city's main retail district. Motorists can access the 100 through 400 blocks of South Meridian from the residential neighborhoods east of Meridian, from Ramsey on the south and South Park to the west, which takes motorists through the parking lots of City Hall and the school district's central office.

Most business owners received no advance warning of this week's closure.

"We were surprised," said Larry Hall, owner of Big Larry's Burgers at 328 S. Meridian.

Allen, Butler and Clay streets provide access to Big Larry's as well as other restaurants and shops in the area.

"The way business was yesterday, it's going to be pretty bad," Hall said. "We were really slow."

Paul Eden, owner of Eden's Auto Sales at the intersection of Main and Meridian, said someone with the construction crew informally told him March 17 that the Main Street closure would take place. At the same time, however, a flier placed on the city's website and circulated to the public listed the May and June closure dates.

"We just have to get it over with and get on with it," Eden said. "… You really can't prepare for something like this anyway."

Businesses and school district officials had anticipated the closures to happen around the time school was letting out in May.

"The city let us know about the overall project several months ago," said school district Superintendent Cory Gibson. "Obviously, the dates have changed quite a bit since then. … We kind of had a plan in place because we knew it was going to happen so we just implemented the plan earlier (for bussing detours). The biggest hassle has been trying to get into the District Office (at 143 S. Meridian). We're sending out a communication to all patrons, with a map, showing how they can get here."

Some city officials were surprised as well.

Mayor Mike McNown said he didn't know about the change until this week.

"I don't have my thumb on that and I don't know," McNown said.

Pile emailed an alert to The News on March 23.

The change was agreed to on March 18.

During a project status meeting that day, Golka approved UCI's request to change the timeline. The approval came one day after Golka told the mayor and city council members that Main and Meridian would be closed in late May and June.

"It's a little earlier than anticipated," Golka told The News this week. "A decision was made late last week, based on availability of materials and a need to get through this as quickly as possible. … They had the crews and the materials to throw at this now. It wasn't ideal. … It's going to be a painful process. It's a fluid schedule."

Golka said UCI was directed to notify emergency workers (fire, EMS and police) as well as the school district of the closures.

UCI officials did not comment about the decision.

The public was made aware of the closures as the barricades were going up March 23, even though the decision to close was made five days earlier.

"I certainly understand the frustrations," Golka said. "I really do. This was probably not as transparent as it could've been."

Golka said officials have been adjusting detour signs as problems arise with traffic patterns in the construction zone.

"We're trying our best," he said. "There are going to be complaints and there are going to be issues."

Trucks going through town are being directed to use Ford (77th), Fifth and Seneca to get around the construction zone on Meridian.

"For local access, we encourage the use of side streets," Golka said.

Part of Ford Street also is scheduled to be closed to through traffic in July. PEC insisted that UCI not close Ford until Meridian is "substantially complete," Golka said.

"We're doing the best we can to make sure the project gets done as quickly as possible and minimize the pain with closings," Golka said.

According to the latest timeline, the west half of Meridian will be closed through April 29, and then the east half will be closed from April 30 through July 10.

Gibson and others encouraged residents to find their way through the construction and continue to patronize local businesses on Main Street and Meridian.

"I know it's a hindrance for those getting to the District Office and getting to businesses. We certainly want to do all we can to support our businesses," Gibson said. "… It's painful now, but we'll all be grateful later."





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