By Zach Friend
Here is the latest on the Valencia Road project. Things have been working well since the installation of the temporary bridge, and that’s allowed us to make significant progress in other areas. We wanted to give you an update on those developments, as well as pass along some information about the transition back to a normal roadway. As you may recall, the bridge is temporary, so we are working toward a return of a regular road on that section.
As you pass over the bridge, you’ve probably noticed our contractors continuing work around and below the roadway. So far, we’ve completed pouring the bottom and sides of the new culvert, and we’ve begun work on the top. Once that concrete is formed, we can begin dismantling the complex shoring system and backfilling the project. We expect that to begin in mid-November. Shortly after that — and with the bridge still in place — we’ll begin construction of a temporary road so that we can maintain neighborhood and school access during the transition back to a normal roadway.
This new paved road will be one lane and run alongside the bridge. We plan to install a temporary signal system there to allow two-way traffic to continue, similar to what you see now on Soquel Drive (the road work being done near the trestle). We explored many options, including routing traffic back up Valencia (similar to what was done before the bridge went in) but we heard from neighbors that two-way access is preferred, so we are going to accommodate that.
The changeover from the bridge to the temporary roadway will occur in mid December, and the road will be in place while we remove the bridge, build up the roadbed, reinstall utilities, complete the road surface, install local drainage facilities, and stripe the new roadway. Weather permitting, that process should take about four weeks. We know many Valencia Elementary school families are on winter break for much of that time, so hopefully this will minimize any inconvenience – which was a goal for all us (and a request of the school and many of in the neighborhood). We believe this is the best solution given some of the alternatives, and means full access will be restored sometime around mid to late January.
During this brief period of one-way traffic, we will be monitoring the roadway for any traffic issues and take steps to mitigate any problems. Once again, we thank you for your help, for your patience and your endurance. Valencia Road was easily the most complex project to arise from last winter’s storms, and we know it’s been a long process to get back to normalcy.
If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to call me at 454-2200.