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December 23, 2019: Construction Update – December 23, 2019

Temporary Weekday Closures of Smith Ranch Road/Reclamation Ponds

Construction on the Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District’s three-year, $62 million Secondary Treatment Plant Upgrade and Recycled Water Expansion Project is continuing at a fast pace!

Visitors to the District’s facility and its wetland ponds/trails please take note:

  • Smith Ranch Road will be closed – no vehicles, pedestrians, or bicyclists – weekdays from 4 am to 5 pm (note revised closure times)January 6, 2020 through February 21, 2020 (weather permitting; dates are subject to change). This closure is necessary to allow for the installation of a new 30” diameter pipe which will bring effluent to the facility’s new Primary Pump Station.
  • During those closures there will be no access to the reclamation ponds and parking lot.
  • Please note that during this time period the road and access to the ponds and trails will be available after 5:00 pm on weekdays (note: area closes at sunset), and all day on weekends.

Construction update: a great deal of progress has been made on the facility upgrades, including phase 1 undergrounding of the PG&E power supply, removal and backfill of the sludge ponds, excavation, formwork, reinforcing, installation of caissons, and concrete foundations at the Primary Pump Station, Anoxic Basin, and Aeration Basin facilities, construction of the new Electrical Building, and the start of installation of the new Recycled Water Treatment Facility membranes and Distribution Pump Station.

Coming in 2020: as the calendar turns to 2020, work will include Phase 2 of undergrounding of the PG&E power supply, concrete placement of the walls at the Primary Pump Station, Anoxic Basin, and Aeration Basin facilities, continuation of construction of the new Electrical Building, Recycled Water Treatment Facility Distribution Pump Station and membranes, and more.

Whenever you are on District property during this construction project, please remember:

  • BE CAUTIOUS – you are very near a major construction zone; drive slowly and watch in all directions for equipment, trucks, and work crews on Smith Ranch Road.
  • BE AWARE of lane changes and temporary closures of Smith Ranch Road
  • OBSERVE ALL SAFETY & TRAFFIC SIGNAGE and follow directions from construction flaggers and workers
  • DO NOT PARK ON SMITH RANCH ROAD – the only parking for the reclamation ponds is at the trailhead parking lot – there is no overflow parking available
  • DO NOT WALK ON SMITH RANCH ROAD due to heavy equipment and trucks

Thank you for your continued patience during this construction. We apologize for any inconvenience – these cautionary guidelines are necessary to help ensure the safety of all visitors and construction crews.

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