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An aerial view near the intersection of Meridian and Ramsey shows some of the stormwater system work.

Road reconstruction reaching midway point
By Chris Strunk
Last Updated: June 25, 2015

The $6.7 million road reconstruction project in the heart of Valley Center will reach a major milestone next week.

On June 23, the project will pass the halfway point.

The work is scheduled to reach substantial completion on Oct. 2 (200 days after it started on March 16).

"We are about on schedule," said the city's engineer, Josh Golka.

Heavy rainfall in May and June forced the contractor to pick up the pace to stay on track.

Crews began working 12-hour shifts and Saturdays, Golka said.

"We're doing the best we can," he said. "… Rain has been very difficult."

Drivers and retailers in the area will notice some substantial changes in the coming days.

The trunk line of the underground storm sewer system, which has been sitting in pieces above ground for the past few weeks, is scheduled to be installed by the end of this week or the beginning of next week. The installation will help water drain from Meridian quicker than it has during construction of the road. Water will be able to run south along Ramsey and out of the system with pumps until the entire project is complete. This could lessen the need to shut down parts of Meridian during heavy rains.

Once the stormwater system is in place, roadwork will resume on the east half of Meridian and on Ramsey.

The roads could be open by mid-July.

By that time, the focus will have shifted to Ford (77th North), which will take about two months to complete.

The following is the city's weekly project update:

Current status of closures

•Main and Meridian intersection, as well as Meridian north of railroad, open to through traffic. During periods of heavy rain, portions of Meridian and side roads may have limited access due to flooding until storm sewer system is installed to allow for subsurface drainage. Traffic signs and barricades will be installed as needed to protect the safety of the traveling public.

•Main and Meridian intersection is 2-way stop controlled with stop signs on Main Street for east and westbound traffic prior to permanent traffic signal improvements. Permanent traffic signal installation scheduled for late June/early July with full width of Meridian opening and operational signals near end of July.

•Access to businesses along Ramsey is being maintained either from Clay Street and frontage road to the north or temporary access road from Ford Street.

•The west half of Meridian is open for access to the businesses in the area. Traffic may access this area from north and south Meridian which is open to traffic.

•The best routes to avoid construction are Seneca for traffic east of the project, and Ash north of Main or Sheridan south of Main for traffic west of the project.

Current status of construction

•Pavement demolition along east half of Meridian and Ramsey ongoing.

•Storm sewer construction along east half of Meridian and Ramsey ongoing. Upon completion, flooding along Meridian should be reduced with fewer temporary closures during rain events. Approximate timeframe for completion is 1-2 weeks.

•Pond grading ongoing south of Ford Street working from the south end of the detention pond towards the north.

•Concrete wall construction on pump station ongoing.

•Pump station outfall piping construction between detention pond and floodway ongoing.

Next steps of construction (approximately 2-3 weeks out)

•Reinforced crushed rock base followed by concrete curb and gutter along east half of Meridian and Ramsey.





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