The weekly Downtown Project eNewsletter from the City of Mill Valley
DOWNTOWN PROJECT UPDATE
June 11, 2020
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The Downtown Project will focus on upgrading the infrastructure – below and above ground – in the Downtown area. The project’s goals are to repave the roadways, repair the sanitary sewer system, make drainage improvements, and upgrade pedestrian curb ramps. The project began in April and is estimated to finish in September 2020. 
Weekly Progress Report*

Last week, the City’s contractor, KJWoods, conducted:
  • Corte Madera Ave.- Cured In Place Pipe (CIPP) sewer lining work.
  • Throckmorton Ave.- CIPP sewer lining work.
  • East Blithedale Ave.- Potholing activities to obtain visual confirmation of utilities and underground obstructions near or crossing the planned trench area, Pipe Bursting sewer line work and sewer lateral work.

This week, KJWoods conducted the following:
  • West Blithedale Ave.- Pipe Bursting sewer line work.
  • Sunnyside Ave.- Potholing work, Pipe Bursting sewer line work.
  • East Blithedale Ave.- Upheaval repair.
  • Lovell Ave.- Robotic installation of top hat liner.

In upcoming weeks, KJWoods will conduct the following:
  • Corte Madera Ave.- Trench restoration, curb ramp demolition and installation (see article below), removal of manholes and installation of pump inlets and curb ramps.
  • Throckmorton Ave.- Trench restoration.
  • West Blithedale Ave.- Trench restoration, curb ramp demolition and installation (see article below).
  • Sunnyside Ave.- Pipe Bursting sewer line work, sewer lateral work, upheaval repair, trench restoration.
  • East Blithedale Ave.- Trench restoration.
  • Hillside & Oakdale Aves.- Installation of catch basins.
  • Lovell Ave.- Removal of manholes and installation of pump inlets and curb ramps.

* All estimated timelines are tentative and subject to change.
Upcoming Work:

Curb Ramp Work – June 15 – 26*
Many of the curb ramps in the Downtown area are not ADA compliant, which makes it difficult for people that use wheelchairs or are disabled to move about the Downtown area. An important part of the Downtown Project is the reconstruction of 15 curb ramps to provide accessibility for all users.

The curb ramp project will begin on June 15 with demolition, and then take about two weeks to complete. The work will take place on West Blithedale and Corte Madera Aves. The contractor has created a phased construction schedule, so that at least two curb ramps are available at each intersection at a time to allow pedestrian access, while the other ramp is under construction.

Residents and businesses should expect impacts such as construction equipment, noise, dust, and sidewalk closures and pedestrian detours while the work is in progress.

For details, please see the image above and click here for a larger version .
Paving – July 13 – 24*
The City contractor will use a method known as “Grind and Overlay” to pave segments of Gardner Street, West Blithedale and Corte Madera Avenues. Work is scheduled to begin July 13 and take approximately 10 weekdays to complete.

“Grind and overlay” is a process to replace old pavement by grinding it down around 2" and then replacing it with a new layer of asphalt. This is a cost-effective way to maintain our roadways, as reconstructing the streets can cost up to three times as much.

Residents and businesses should expect impacts such as construction equipment, noise, dust, lane closures, limited driveway access and parking restrictions while the work is in progress.

The Contractor will post no-parking signs 48 hours prior to starting the work. To help ensure a safe and successful project, we request that you observe all no parking signs, traffic control signs, flagmen and vehicle/pedestrian barriers.

* All estimated timelines are tentative and subject to change.
Top 10 Reasons to STAY OUT of the Construction Zone

  1. You, or one of the crew members, could get injured, or worse!

OK - We can't think of any more because there is nothing more important than your safety and the safety of the work crew members.

PLEASE NOTICE AND OBEY THE SIGNS, FLAGGERS, CONES AND BARRICADES and stay out of the work zone. It is very dangerous and we want everyone to stay safe!
Mitigating Construction Impacts
City and Construction Management staff are making every effort to mitigate impacts during construction. 

Mitigation measures include:
  • “Trenchless” construction methods wherever feasible.
  • Traffic control to keep one lane open with flagger directing traffic whenever possible
  • Pedestrian traffic control to safely direction pedestrians.
  • Providing staging areas for the contractor at the Corporation yard and City Hall to minimize on-street impacts
  • Employee parking at City Hall will be eliminated during the project, making those spots available for community members and project staging
  • Proactive, early notification for residents and businesses in the project area
  • Public access to driveways at all times where feasible
  • Coordinate business access for delivery trucks with local business 
  • Sidewalk and street sweeping daily
  • Dust control measures
  • Regular communication and coordination with the Chamber of Commerce, Downtown stakeholders and the wider community
Downtown Businesses Update

Check out the Enjoy Mill Valley website for the latest on how to support our local businesses.

Where can I learn more about the project?
Please visit the Downtown Project webpage to learn more about the project. The webpage features:
Phase I Project Limit
Contact us:
City and Construction Management staff are available to answer questions and review concerns.
 
Construction Management:
Norman Akana, Construction Manager | Email:   nakana@anchorcm.com |
Phone: (916) 806-0278
 
Construction and Design: 
Ahmed A. Aly,Project Manager | Email:   aaaly@cityofmillvalley.org  |
Phone: (415) 384-4755
 
Public Outreach and Communications: 
Linn Walsh, Senior Management Analyst | Email:   lwalsh@cityofmillvalley.org  | Phone: (415) 388-4863

Please also check out the Project Website:

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Thank You for Your Patience During Construction
The City of Mill Valley would like to send out a special thank you to the Mill Valley community for your patience during construction.