HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/4/2022 Item 6b, Horn / Banker-Hix - Staff Agenda CorrespondenceCity of San Luis Obispo, Council Memorandum
City of San Luis Obispo
Council Agenda Correspondence
DATE: October 4, 2022
TO: Mayor and Council
FROM: Matt Horn, Public Works Director
Prepared By: Wyatt Banker-Hix, Engineer III
VIA: Derek Johnson, City Manager
SUBJECT: ITEM 6b – INTRODUCE AN ORDINANCE AMENDMENT TO CREATE A
UTILITY UNDERGROUNDING DISTRICT WITHIN THE LIMITS OF THE
PRADO BRIDGE PROJECT
Staff received the following questions, regarding Item 6b. The questions are below with
staff’s response shown in italics:
1) When is the undergrounding project to begin after approval of the new District 16?
Utility undergrounding work will start as the first phase of the entire Prado Bridge
project, anticipated to start Summer 2024.
2) How long is the undergrounding project expected to take?
Staff does not currently have an estimate on the construction duration for
undergrounding work. After creation of the undergrounding district, Staff will work with
utility providers to produce final plans and construction documents. Once final
construction documents are prepared, a total project duration will be estimated.
3) Will the Prado/Higuera intersection be completely closed for the project duration, or
will there be traffic workarounds?
The Prado/Higuera intersection will be closed intermittently during the project duration
as necessary to facilitate construction work. It is not currently expected to be
completely closed for any extended duration. Staff anticipates the intermittent full
closures to be during the night or short durations during the day. Closures would
require City approval for traffic control and detours.
Item 6b Correspondence – Prado Bridge Undergrounding and CEQA Page 2
4) Will the Prado Road Bridge Widening Project (proposed start date 2024) dovetail into
this project and after that the Prado Interchange (Summer 2025?) Meaning will these
3 projects overlap timewise? I see the potential of Higuera/Prado being closed
intermittently for a few years. How will residents/business owners in the affected area
gain access?
The Prado Interchange project will not start until the Prado Bridge is nearly complete,
in order to satisfy Caltrans funding requirements and to minimize concurrent impacts
to businesses and residences in the area. Access for residents and businesses will
be maintained throughout construction.
5) During undergrounding, will there be, at any time, an interruption of electrical service?
Many of us who live here, myself included, use medical equipment.
PG&E will be responsible for maintaining power throughout construction, but it is likely
that there will be temporary outages during the switch over from their existing
overhead facilities to the new underground facilities. PG&E as utility provider will be
responsible for coordinating with affected properties.
6) During the time Higuera might be closed, accessing southbound Higuera from our
mobile park takes you thru a business area, northbound Higuera thru a residential
area. Are these areas prepared for the extra traffic?
During preparation of the construction documents for the project, staff will develop
traffic control requirements for project construction, including requirements for
contractor traffic control plans and any proposed detours. Review and approval of
traffic control plans often includes conditions for reduction of impacts to detour streets,
such as traffic control devices and signage.