| | Published June 21st, 2023
| Major 2022 Pavement Rehabilitation Project work involves several Moraga street closures
| | | By Vera Kochan |  | | Asphalt repaving on Tia Place in Moraga Photo courtesy Moraga Public Works |
The phrase "Your tax dollars at work" couldn't be truer as evidenced around parts of Moraga this summer. Thanks to the 2012 Measure K sales tax initiative, along with funding from the Gas Tax and Refuge Vehicle Impact Fees, the town is able to supplement its pavement management program.
"The Town is responsible for the maintenance and repair of 58.6 centerline miles of paved streets," according to a statement from Director of Public Works/Town Engineer Shawn Knapp. "This includes 13.8 miles of arterial, 15.8 miles of collector, 26.3 miles of residential streets, and 2.6 miles of bike paths or service roads."
Knapp added, "In 2013, the Town leveraged $600,000 annual repayment loan of Measure K funds to yield an upfront funds of $7.7 million to spend on a three-year intensive pavement program, which significantly increased the Town's Pavement Condition Index (PCI)." In 2015, the PCI went from 49 to 67, and by 2020, had climbed to 74, putting Moraga in the top 25% of all 109 municipalities within the San Francisco Bay Area.
The Pavement Rehabilitation Project, also known as the "Worst First Approach," is expected to take three years to complete, beginning with streets ranked as Very Poor and Poor. The Town is currently budgeting $13.5 million for this three-year project without bonding/borrowing any funds. "We had to save a bit of monies in the previous years and have benefited with additional Pavement Management Program funding sources," Knapp said. As an example, he mentioned that "Measure K sales tax revenues have increased from approximately $1 million to $3.6 million per year, not accounting for annual $0.6 million bond repayment."
The current project involves rehabilitating 22 streets throughout Moraga. This phase of the project was expected to begin June 19 and should be completed June 29, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday with some variances.
Moraga's contractor, DeSilva Gates Construction, will begin a process called Rubberized Chip and finish the project with a Microsurface Seal. This will entail lane and street closures. Approximately 1,600 affected residents have been mailed construction work notices, and "No Parking" barricades have been placed.
The Town also requests that residents keep children and pets away from the street while the treatments are being done as large equipment is involved; drive slowly - the new cape seal treatments can be slippery because of the loose rock prior to removal; do not drive on the treatments until the lanes are reopened to traffic and obey the posted "Loose Gravel" and "15 MPH" signs; warn your children to be careful while riding bicycles or have them refrain from riding altogether until the loose rock is swept up; continue to park your car(s) off the road or cover them as necessary until the initial sweeping is completed; check your shoes before walking into your house - the loose rocks can track onto carpets or scratch wooden floors; respect construction areas and workers - do not drive on the treatments or cross over closed lanes to access or exit your driveway to avoid damage to your car; and make sure that your sprinklers are turned off during the Chip Seal and Microsurfacing Seal treatment hours.
"The Town very much appreciates your patience during this important project," stated Knapp. "We apologize to residents in advance for any inconvenience."
For continuous updates to the project visit the town website: www.moraga.ca.us/2022pavementrehabilitation.
To reach Town of Moraga Construction Manager Sunny Jhutti call (415) 246-4920 or email: sunny@substrateinc.com.
For additional info contact Moraga Assistant Engineer Yao Miao (925) 888-7028 or email: ymiao@moraga.ca.us.
Moraga Director of Public Works/Town Engineer Shawn Knapp (925) 888-7027 or email: sknapp@moraga.ca.us. |
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA