Ark Valley News - City to mark completion of massive road project

Crews started the $6.7 million Meridian and Ford reconstruction project in March. It is scheduled to be finished Nov. 9.

City to mark completion of massive road project
By Chris Strunk
Last Updated: November 05, 2015

City and construction officials will have a ceremony to officially open Ford Street Nov. 9, signaling the end to a massive eight-month project to improve stormwater drainage in the heart of Valley Center.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony is set for 3 p.m. After the ceremony, the street will open to traffic.

"I think this city should be proud," said George Kolb, interim city administrator.

City engineer Josh Golka said crews planned to stripe the road and backfill behind curbs this week.

Officials had hoped to re-open Ford by the end of October. However, the final concrete pour was Oct. 27 and it needed time to cure before striping could take place.

The project started March 16. It included the reconstruction of Meridian from Main to the railroad tracks and Ramsey from Meridian to Ford.

An underground water drainage system was installed along Meridian and Ford and a large retention pond was constructed south of Ford. The water moves through a channel and into the pond. The water, if high enough, is eventually carried into the Little Ditch through a pumping system.

The original final completion date for the project was Oct. 22. It included 220 calendar days. Golka said 26 rain days were counted toward the contract time, pushing final completion to Nov. 17.

Crews will be in the area for the next couple of weeks taking care of details that don't affect traffic.

"It's been exciting," Golka said of the project coming to an end. "… I'm excited for everyone to see the end product. Construction is never convenient or fun, but the end product will be a benefit to the city."

Golka said the contractor, UCI, has dealt with what is turning out to be one of the wettest years on record.

"There have been some setbacks," he said. "But I really believe UCI did a tremendous job."