UPDATE:
York Drive is anticipated to reopen by the end of March 2012. Until that time traffic continues to be rerouted along Montgomery to access South Santa Fe Avenue. Signs are also posted to assist the traveling public. A detour map is available here.
This closure of York Drive was necessary to perform earthwork, grading, and construction of driveways and retaining walls, installation of new drainage, construction of water and sewer facilities, and preparation for the construction of the new four-way intersection. The newly created frontage road is complete and the County’s contractor is on the verge of reopening York Drive in a temporary location while the new four-way intersection improvements are completed. The project has 7 stages of construction and is currently undergoing construction of stages 4 and 5 improvements.
PROGRESS:
Much has been accomplished during the first four stages of the construction of the South Santa Fe Avenue – North (SSFN) Road Improvement Project since it began in Spring 2010. As of February 2012 the project is continuing with stage four construction efforts and began stage 5 construction in January 2012. If you have driven by lately, you’ve noticed completed retaining walls along the entire project length and curb, gutter and sidewalk beginning to go in along the new South Santa Fe Avenue alignment. Joint utility trenching is complete and splicing and pulling of cable has begun. Gas lines and sewer main installations are substantially complete. Underground storm drain installations have reached approximately 95% completion and underground water main installation has reached about 75% completion.
Here is a breakdown of the work in progress:
- Storm drain and water main installations are continuing
- Temporary paving to reopen York Drive
- 4-way intersection improvements continuing
- Installation of temporary and permanent intersection and railroad signalization
- Pouring permanent curb and gutter on SSF
- Grading and paving of new alignment of South Santa Fe Avenue, York Drive and Woodland Drive
And here is what is planned for the very near future:
- Construction for roadway fills and curbs / gutter on SSF Avenue
- Hydroseed will start for permanent erosion control on slopes
- Contractor will lay conduits for permanent traffic signal poles
- NCTD will continue to construct their conduits and signal device foundations
- Underground utility cable pulling and splicing
- Overhead Utility pole removal
- Detention Basin construction
HOW THIS WILL IMPACT YOU:
Public safety is paramount in the design, during construction, and in the day-to-day vehicular and pedestrian use of any road being improved. Throughout all phases of construction every effort will be made to maintain traffic flow and above all – safety. Flagmen and construction signage will continue to be used to ensure safe and steady traffic flow through the construction zones. Updates and other bulletins concerning detours and safety advisories will also be posted on the DPW Twitter and Facebook pages, linked from the DPW web site.
Recommended alternate routes during construction continue to be Montgomery, Woodland, Hannalei, and Avocado Drives.
To ensure your safety, and that of our flagmen, please slow down in the construction zones and comply with any posted signage and the directions of flagmen working to make your commute through the area as expedient and safe as possible.
Hannalei Elementary School Shuttle Service
The Vista Unified School District is bussing through the project construction areas for student access to and from Hannalei Elementary School during the 2011-2012 school year. Schedules and locations have been determined for this shuttle service and are available for download on this site.
Recommendations for alternate routes for both vehicular and pedestrian traffic will be continually updated on this page. Updates and other bulletins concerning detours and safety advisories will also be posted on the DPW Twitter and Facebook pages, linked from the DPW web site.
A Quick Project Background:
South Santa Fe Avenue (SSFA) is a major roadway that runs parallel to State Route 78 and serves as an alternate route connecting the City of Vista with the City of San Marcos. SSFA is already a four-lane roadway within these two cities; however, the road is only two lanes in the unincorporated area of the County between Vista and San Marcos. The SSFA Improvement Project will complete a portion of the transformation from two lanes to four for the entire roadway, add other improvements, and bring the road segment into compliance with the county’s General Plan Update.
The SSFN project includes the improvement of a 0.7-mile segment between Montgomery Drive and 700 feet east of Woodland Drive and will widen the roadway from two lanes to four, adding approximately 1.8 new lane-miles of traveled roadway. It will also include drainage improvements to capture and route storm water runoff, sidewalks and bicycle lanes on both sides of the new roadway, improvements to existing water and sewer lines, and the reconstruction of a new roadway centerline. Overhead utility lines will also be removed and placed underground adding to the aesthetic appeal of the area. And for increased safety, the railroad crossing will be moved to a newly constructed four-way intersection of South Santa Fe Avenue and Woodland and York Drives.
The $14.2 million in construction costs for SSFN are funded by TransNet (sales tax revenues), Transportation Impact Fees, and Prop 1B bonds approved by the voters in 2006.
The SSFN project is divided into seven phases of construction as a means of maximizing safety, efficiency and quality. The first phase began in March 2010 and is nearing completion. The project is currently on schedule to be completed by December 2012.
Traffic Control & Advisories:
Latest developments in alternative routes and detours, plus other traffic advisories will be posted on this site.
Up-to-the-minute late advisories will be also be posted on: Twitter.com/sdcounty.dpw and on the DPW Facebook account
A Project Hotline number has also been established to answer questions regarding construction. The number is (888) R-O-A-D-W-R-K (762-9675)
Project Benefits
The widening of South Santa Fe Avenue between the Cities of Vista and San Marcos will greatly improve traffic flow and reduce travel delays and result in safer and more efficient movement of traffic. More efficient traffic movement helps to minimize environmental impacts and improve air quality.
The South Santa Fe Road Improvement Project is another example of DPW - Working For You.
Email Updates Get newsletters and other updates of the South Santa Fe Road Improvement Project
You can also get DPW news, road reports and updates on Facebook and at Twitter.com/sdcountydpw
