A pipelines replacement project will have the Peninsula torn up for awhile, but not to worry, the city’s promising disruption from the project, whose purpose is to improve the area’s overall drinking water system, will be minimal.
The project replaces two 16-inch diameter water mains installed in the 1940s and 1950s with new 16-inch polyvinyl chloride water mains. It replaces 4.4 miles of cast iron pipelines that have reached the end of their useful life. The project excludes segments of pipeline replaced by earlier City Public Utilities Department projects.
The City of San Diego is working to improve its drinking water system and the overall quality of life for residents, businesses and visitors alike. To that end, the city mandates the replacement of all aging and deteriorating cast iron pipelines.
This Harbor Drive project is part of an ongoing city improvement program to help eliminate water main breaks and improve water service. The pipelines are located in the Midway/North Bay and Peninsula Communities Planning Areas of City Council District 2. Project pipelines serve the western most part of University Heights and the northern section of east Point Loma pressure zones; and they provide backup service to one another. The project will replace water mains within:
– Avenida de Portugal (Locust to Willow);
– Cañon Street (Evergreen St. to Pt. Loma Community Park, near Ulman St.);
– Catalina Boulevard (a portion between Hill St. and La Paloma St.);
Evergreen Street (Cañon St. to Nimitz Blvd.);
– Hugo Street (N Harbor Dr. to Locust St.);
– Locust Street (Hugo St. to Avenida de Portugal);
– Nimitz Boulevard (Rosecrans St. to N Harbor Drive);
– North Harbor Drive (Chauncey Road to Hugo St.); and
– Point Loma Avenue (Cañon St. to Catalina Boulevard). Two Point Lomans, Joseph Holasek, a member of the Peninsula Community Planning Board, speaking on his own behalf, and Robert (Tripp) Jackson, longtime member and past president of the Point Loma Association, weighed in on the pipeline work and its community impact.
“My two cents worth is that people always complain when repairs affect them, but that they also demand that all of their infrastructure works well, all the time,” said Holasek, an architect. “For example, I thought that Talbot was closed inordinately long a couple years ago when they stabilized the slope bank, but it was what it was, and it eventually reopened. There are clearly a lot of infrastructure improvements throughout Point Loma. But they’ll benefit us all when completed.”
“Never heard of that street (Cochran),” said Jackson, adding, “They are up Catalina passed Wilcox Street today.”
Jackson noted pipeline construction crews “Had to travel through the Catalina/Cañon medians that the [Point Loma Association] improved in 2011. I must thank Conrad Wear at Councilmember Zapf’s office, working with the contractor on working around the medians.”
In the final analysis, Jackson concluded, “Seems that the traffic flow is moving OK. They (city) have made it difficult to cut through the neighborhood to avoid the situation, of which, I’m sure, the residents are appreciative.”
However, Jackson added, “Now I see pot holes coming back. Ugh.”
The new PVC water mains will be installed using open trench construction methods in public streets and roadways. To avoid service interruptions and minimize traffic impacts, the project will coordinate with Cabrillo Elementary, Dana Middle, Point Loma High, High Tech High, San Diego International Airport, the U.S. Coast Guard and the San Diego Port District.
Water Operation crews will install temporary water pipes (high-lines) to provide service during water main replacements, and customers will be notified before any expected construction-related water service interruptions. QUESTIONS?
For questions or concerns about the Harbor Drive pipelines replacement project, call the Public Works Department construction project information line at 619-533-4207 or email [email protected]. Reference the “Harbor Drive Pipelines Replacement Project” in your inquiry.