Category: Survey

Update #4: 8-12 August 2011

08/12/2011

Completed during the week of August 8-12

Installed straw waddles and protective fencing around London Plane trees to protect them during construction
Filled & compacted all new gas trenches (backfilled)
Cut asphalt and began trenching for new storm drain line between State Street & Parking Plaza North on First Street
Continued excavation of dirt below street level in preparation for the new sub-base and asphalt top of the new streets
Installed two new curb inlets for collecting rain water into the storm drain system
Poured foundation for the first of the two new storm drain manholes
Installed electrical conduit for the eight new traffic signal poles
100% of all the old electrical wiring has been sorted for re-use and/or recycling
Continued creating concrete forms for the curbs and gutters. These are created through work with a “Smart Level” that assists the worker in setting the correct slop for the gutters to ensures run off water drains at the correct rate and into the correct place
Installed initial pipes of new storm drain sections adjacent to the manholes
The traffic sign light manufacturer reported that the new eight new signal poles and lights are 90% completed and on time

Scheduled for the week of August 15-19

Continue excavation of below grade dirt for street sub-base
Continue creating forms for new curbs and gutters
Pour concrete test samples of curb and gutter colors to ensure matching with the rest of downtown
Following color approval, begin pouring concrete for new curbs and gutters
Continue excavation of new storm drain trench
Continue laying storm drain pipe, working from State Street towards Parking Plaza North
Begin limited night work on water lines to prevent water service interruption during business hours (no residences will be impacted)
Continue in-progress surveying needed throughout the project
Begin tree removals

Traffic Update

Temporary lane closure on First Street between State and Parking Plaza North will continue with flaggers during work hours

Unexpected Finds - Surprises

Outreach Updates

Apricot Annie’s first business promotion ads and suggested travel routes were published in the Los Altos Town Crier and Palo Alto Daily News
Installed two new 20 minute parking spaces in Parking Plaza Central to assist customers making quick pick-ups and drop-offs

07/21/2011

CONSTRUCTION FIRST WEEK

First Street and Main St & First Intersections closed to traffic and demolition began
Street paving & concrete removed
Sidewalk concrete sawcuts- prepping for upcoming removal
Last four of the defunct telephone poles removed
Initial surveyor stakes installed as part of site survey to determine how much dirt/soil./gravel etc must be removed.
Underground utilities marked (this is done each time the surface changes as a safety precaution)
Continued concrete removal (sidewalks, curbs & gutters)

SCHEDULED FOR NEXT WEEK

Finish site surveying for dirt removal. (these are the wooden stakes with colored markings that are seen all along the street)
Remove seven of the nine trees approved for removal will be taken down.
Continue concrete removal (sidewalks, curbs & gutters)
Removing light fixtures, bike racks, benches & trash cans etc to be stored during project for replacement afterwards.
Begin excavation of the roadbed- this will take several weeks

ROAD CLOSURE UPDATE

First & Main intersection closed Mon, 18 July
First Street closed Monday, 18 July
The section of Main Street between Foothill Expressway and Main Street will close tomorrow morning, July 22. This is three weeks earlier than scheduled due to the severe public safety hazard the gas station is experiencing with cut-through traffic. The First Street driveway to the gas station will remain open throughout the entire project. Signs directing gas station customers will be placed on Foothill.

UNEXPECTED FINDS & SURPRISES

Found concrete buried under the asphalt in the intersection of First & Main (about 30 feet square and 6 inches thick). This will have to be removed as soon as possible.
Found the old concrete surrounding the street light electrical lines were twice the size of what’s used now. This stopped work temporarily on Wednesday afternoon until it was determined it was safe to take out. It has already been removed.

OUTREACH UPDATES