CLEARLAKE ? The Lakeshore Drive/San Joaquin Emergency Slide project in the City of Clearlake has been delayed about a week due to recent rains. Construction is expected to continue weekdays through Nov. 6.
Additionally, a work day has been scheduled for Saturday, which will entail erosion control. Work is being conducted by Fedco Construction.
The slide repair project is located on Lakeshore Drive adjacent to Nelson”s Island and between San Joaquin Drive and San Joaquin Drive Extension. The project will result in roadway widening and reconstruction on Lakeshore Drive northwest of the Gooseneck. Work consists of the excavation of the existing embankment, grinding out of the existing pavement and the placement of new asphalt paving. In addition, a portion of the existing roadway embankment will be stabilized.
“They removed the trees and now they are shaving the mountain side,” Clearlake Public Works Superintendent Doug Herren said. “We”re going to add eight feet of roadway.”
According to Clearlake City Engineer, the roadway is currently about 18 feet wide. He said when the project is complete it will be about 24 feet wide. Galusha said the area presents a hazard especially for buses due to the narrowness of the roadway. “This will make it safer, especially around that curve,” he said.
The project utilizes Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds, which were awarded following heavy rains in 2005. Coastland Civil Engineering prepared the plans for the project in October 2008. The project bid was awarded to Fedco last month in the amount of $197,507. FEMA will reimburse the city 87.5 percent of the repair costs while the city will be responsible for funding 12.5 percent.
Work hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Lakeshore Drive through the construction area will be reduced to one through lane, controlled by a flagman. Motorists should expect delays. Electronic message boards will be in place advising motorists of the work schedule and changed conditions. Lakeshore Drive will be open to two-way traffic during the nights and weekends. Motorists are advised to drive safely through the construction zone.
The work schedule is weather dependent and cooler than normal weather or rain could delay the work schedule.
Fedco Construction also performed the city”s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Collector Street Rehabilitation Project. Rehabilitation operations occurred in areas on Burns Valley and Austin roads. According to Herren, all work has been completed including striping. “We are just going over a punch list now to make sure everything is done,” he said.
For more information please call the City of Clearlake at 994-8201.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
