City of Ukiah juggling ‘three major infrastructure projects’

In a press release this week, city of Ukiah officials provided more details about “three major street improvement projects (they described as) fully underway:

1. Recycled Water Phase 4: Major construction will continue through the year at our Water and Wastewater Treatment Plants, but the public-facing part of the project is nearly complete.  Beginning roughly on Monday, June 17th, Low Gap Road between State and Bush Streets will be completely reconstructed. Sidewalk repairs and new curbramps at the corners are currently being completed; then, the entire surface of the street will be removed and replaced with new pavement.  The entire reconstruction is expected to take approximately one week; detours will be required during this time. This project is funded through a $53.7 million grant from the California State Water Resources Control Board.
2. Downtown Streetscape Project: This project is also in its final stages. Beginning Monday, May 20th, construction crews will begin removing the old surface of North State Street between Norton and Henry Streets. Because this portion of the street was constructed with concrete (back when it was Highway 101), the work will be a little slower, dustier, and noisier than other areas. One side of the street will be done at a time, and it will take approximately two weeks to remove the entire surface.  Access to businesses will be preserved, and traffic will only be permitted one-way during this work (northbound for the first side, southbound for the second side), with detours for the other direction. After the surface is removed, the first layer of payment will be applied, which will reduce most of the construction impacts.  Shortly after demolition of the north side begins, similar work will occur on the south side (Mill to Gobbi).  That section is all pavement (not concrete), and will move much faster than the north side. Final parts of the project include construction of small medians, landscaping, final pavement, and striping. After the final layer of payment is applied, the traffic signals will be restored to normal (but improved) operation. This entire project is anticipated to be complete in July.  This project is funded through a combination of grants, Measure Y funds, and utility funds.
3. Urban Core Rehabilitation and Transportation Project (Main-Perkins-Gobbi): This major project is just beginning, and the bulk of the work for this construction season will occur on Main Street.  First, the underground sewer and water utilities will be replaced, and then the street will be fully reconstructed between Gobbi and Norton. Because the utilities are located in roughly the center of the street, intermittent street closures will be required during construction hours for this portion of the work.  For the week of May 20th, work will be occurring roughly between Clay and Perkins Streets.  Residents and delivery vehicles will be allowed access as needed.  Sewer replacement work will progress north to Perkins Street; then, it will pick up at Norton Street and progress south to Perkins. Future phases of the project (likely 2025) will include the reconstruction of Gobbi Street from Dora to Orchard, including a new traffic signal at Gobbi and Main, and the resurfacing of Perkins Street, along with the installation of storm drains.  This project is funded through a combination of grants, Measure Y funds, and utility funds.

To explain why “so many projects are happening at once,” officials explain that:

• First, a number of years ago, there were significant shifts in funding from the state and federal governments for street repairs, resulting in widespread deferred maintenance.  Now that funding is available, there is much to catch up on.
• Second, many of these projects are tied to grant funding, which comes with strict deadlines for completion.  However, without those grant funds, the projects might not be possible.
• And finally, construction has a season.  While some work can be done year-round, things like concrete and pavement have certain weather requirements.

Also,city officials note that “many of these projects are once-in-a lifetime occurrences. We’re replacing underground infrastructure that is roughly 100 years old, and installing recycled water pipeline that will serve our community for generations to come, and getting our sidewalks and pavement to a place where they will only require minimal maintenance for decades. We appreciate the community’s patience while we get through the bulk of it, and ask that everyone drive carefully around construction zones.”