Construction on Abbott Street is finally complete after five years of disruption, more than $12 million and much prodding from residents. Street paving crews smoothed out the last stretch of bumpy asphalt late Thursday, June 8, though similar projects continue on intersecting roads.
Seven separate “” and often concurrent “” projects to underground utilities, replace sewer lines and repair storm drains led to the constant poor condition of the beach thoroughfare.
It took a push from District 2 Councilman Kevin Faulconer, however, to wrap up the last of the work. He said he pressured Public Works to give Abbott Street top priority after hearing from residents that it was one of theirs.
“We pay taxes to have the city take care of basic services and in some cases the city wasn’t doing that,” Faulconer said of the delays.
According to Patti Boekamp, head of Engineering and Capital Projects, Abbott was not scheduled to be paved for another few months. The city expedited the process by tacking the paving onto a storm drain project already taking place on the street.
“It was impassable for most cars,” said Denny Knox, a member of the mainstreet association, about sections of Abbott Street near Cape May Avenue.
Ortiz Construction finished both jobs by working past the Memorial Day construction moratorium and closing off the entire length of the street the weekend of June 2. Both were permitted as last-minute measures.
“It was an impact to us, but less of an impact in the four days it took them to get it paved than it was the five years it was a disruption,” said Dave Martin, owner of Shades Oceanfront Bistro at the corner of Abbott Street and Santa Monica Avenue.
But not everyone was pleased with the speedy process. Peninsula resident Geoff Page said the project violated municipal code by leaving 3- to 6-inch gaps uncovered at the south end of the street.
“The city was doing a real poor job down there,” he said, adding that the trenches were a liability and safety hazard.
Page submitted photos of the conditions on June 5 to city inspector Jose Navarro, and when he returned to the site the following day, the spaces had been filled.
Navarro said the gaps were left over the weekend because the streets were closed and little traffic was anticipated. n