Pipeline Construction to Close Lanes in April

Work on a recycled water pipeline that will irrigate local parks, golf courses and schools is set to begin next week.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will lay three miles of pipeline as part of the San Ramon Valley Recycled Water Project this month. The pipes will water landscaping in spots such as , and .

Construction will take place on the following streets:

• Alcosta Boulevard
• Crow Canyon Road
• Red Willow Road (east and west)
• Dougherty Road
• Canyon Lakes Drive
• North and South Chantrella drives
• Ustilago Drive
• Sweetgale Drive
• Indian Rice Road
• Reedland Circle
• Goldenrod Lane
• Azalea Lane
• Clovercrest Lane
• Pearlgrass Court
• S. Blackbrush Lane

The construction means temporary lane closures to make way for the workers, according to the City of San Ramon. One lane in each direction will be open at all times.

When work on the pipeline is completed, each section of the road in a construction zone will get repaved or sealed, depending on the spot.

The new pipeline is part of a larger $150 million regional project to provide recycled water to the Tri-Valley.

The pipeline is a joint project of the East Bay Municipal Utility District and the Dublin San Ramon Services District – an alliance dubbed DERWA. Congress appropriated money for the latest phases of the pipeline's construction and appointed the Army Corps as project managers.

The distribution pipeline in San Ramon will be owned by EBMUD.

Initial phases of DERWA, DSRSD, and EBMUD construction were completed in time for first recycled water deliveries in early 2006.

Army engineers chalked up the delay to the inexperience of a subcontractor, who didn't test for the water tightness of the pipes until they were installed. They weren't watertight, so had to be dug up and re-fitted.

The second phase, in some parts of Danville and Blackhawk, should go much more smoothly because the Army has learned from its mistakes, project managers told city officials.

Still, construction means traffic delays, which have angered some residents. With that in mind, the City of San Ramon, the Town of Danville and EBMUD have made an effort to update the public about the project and lane closures on their respective websites.

For more information on the project, go to www.ebmud.com or www.derwa.org or call Major Shaun Martin, the project manager, at 925-244-0227.

EBMUD has designated Lori Steere as the project's outreach representative. You can reach her at 510-287-1631 for questions about the recycled water program.

After hours or in an emergency, call San Ramon police dispatchers at 925-973-2779.

To view a map of the project, click on the PDF attached to the article.