Water mains proceeding, no delays in schedule yet
Gilroy – Construction cranes are fitting huge cement cylinders into the ground along Monterey Street, as engineers look for ways to work around a potentially nagging problem along a two-block stretch of the road downtown .
“The main mode of work going on right now is constructing the water main and that’s going ahead quickly,” City Transportation Engineer Don Dey said of the cement cylinders. “Next they have to install a storm drain and once those are out of the way, the contractor will start in earnest on the roadway portion.”
Dey expected the drain work to begin by the end of next week.
But before they can put down a single layer of asphalt, engineers must find a way to work around wet soil discovered along the entire stretch of torn up road.
Asphalt laid over wet earth becomes soft and spongy and deteriorates quickly, according to Dey, who said three different solutions are now under consideration. The fix could involve removing the wet soil entirely, using a cost-saving mix of soil and limestone as a base, or adding additional layers of asphalt.
“Which one is the best overall design for the project, which one can be done the quickest, and which is the cheapest? I don’t know what the answer will be at this point,” Dey said. “But we have to look at all those criteria before we proceed.”
Dey is discussing the best option with representatives of Golden Bay Construction, the San Carlos company hired to perform the $4.1 million streetscape project.
The wet soils have not yet resulted in construction delays, though an unusually long rain season has pushed the completion date of the first phase into early August. The city originally hoped to finish roadwork by late July.
When the roadwork is complete, work crews will begin overhauling sidewalks in increments from Sixth Street north to Fourth Street. That phase of the project is expected to last roughly three months.
Once the project is complete, area businesses will face out on a newly paved road with angled parking, wider sidewalks, new street lamps and trees. The city hopes to complete the project before the holiday shopping season.
