City of Merced issued the following announcement on Nov 16.
R Street is undergoing a major reconstruction between Loughborough and Buena Vista Drive. The work will keep the road closed to vehicles and pedestrians until March 1.
“We are sorry that trips that used to be quick and easy will take a bit more time for a few months, but we believe the result will be worth it,” said Interim City Manager Stephanie Dietz. “R Street is a section in the City’s street network that has experienced the greatest degradation in recent years.”
During the reconstruction, the entire road surface is being removed, new roadbed is being installed and new asphalt poured. In addition, the Black Rascal Creek drainage system is being rebuilt because it was causing the roadway to sink in its current condition.
The project was designed after consulting with emergency responders to ensure they would be able to move through the construction zone safely and smoothly. The City Engineering staff also worked with school district officials to designate safe routes for students, teachers, staff and buses.
“The school district was very supportive of this project as the roadway and sidewalks in their current condition create hazards for students, teachers, staff, parents and buses,” Dietz said.
City Engineer Michael Beltran said his Department evaluated a construction schedule that allowed for quick construction and efficient use of resources. “Phasing the project may allow for limited access but it does have a negative impact on two areas,” Beltran said, “the time of construction and the overall cost of the project due to the need for additional hours in staff time.”
The March 1 date is the maximum closure date, Beltran said. “We are working to complete this project faster. We have worked with the contractor, and they have a record of excellent work and early completion of projects.”
Beltran said there are a number of other major projects affecting roads going on in the City. Some of these are City projects, others are Merced Irrigation District or Pacific Gas and Electric projects.
Information on all road closures and street work is available through Subscribe Merced. Notifications can be sent by text or email. Sign up for it at www.cityofmerced.org.
Roadwork scheduled for the upcoming months includes:
City of Merced:
R Street, Loughborough to Yosemite, now to March 2021, full closure
M Street, 8th to 13th, now to Jan. 2021, full closure
Alpine Dr., G to Wainwright, now to Feb. 2021, full closure
Gerard Ave., Kibby to Parsons, now to March 2021, full closure
Merced Irrigation District
G Street, Bear Creek to Farmland, now to Dec. 2021, signalized intersections at night
Pacific Gas & Electric
G Street & Cardella Rd. - M Street & Bellevue (high impact areas): Arrow Wood, Bancroft, Tolman, Mandeville, Barclay, now to Jan. 2021, full closure
BNSF Railroad
K Street, 23rd to 26th, now to May 2021, full closure
Private contractor
Main Street, M to N, Dec. 10 - 31 2020, full closure
Original source can be found here.
Source: City of Merced
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