Latest On Lewelling: On Schedule and Set for Completion This Summer

Public works claims the construction on Lewelling and E. Lewelling Boulevard will be completed by summer of this year.

That is, if weather permits.

Stanley Fung spoke at on the past progress and future plans of the roadway between Interstate 880 and Meekland Avenue these following months.

The schedule is as follows:

1. EBMUD water line installation (Union Pacific Railroad to Hesperian) continuing till March

2. Median Area Improvements (UPRR to Meekland) continues till February

During the unincorporated services meeting, a speaker addressed the narrowness of the roards due to the median.

Fung said the median had to be placed in that specific spot due to the left turn into Meekland Avenue.

District 4 Supervisor Nate Miley sided with both the speaker and Fung.

"I get what folks are saying but I'm also not a traffic engineer," Miley said.

3. Sidewalk Construction North Side (Sharon to Hesperian) continues till February

4. Sidewalk Construction South Side (UPRR to Hesperian) will occur from March till April

5. Pavement Construction Both Sides (Hesperian Boulevard to Usher) date to be determined. Will last eight days.

Fung said this will likely occur around Spring Break, when students are not in school. However, he said the decision of selecting this week to work relies heavily on the weather. When placing the pavement on the road, it is best to avoid rain in order to ensure it dries properly.

6. Pavement Construction South Side (Usher to UPRR) will occur from April to May

7. Median Area Improvements (Hesperian to UPRR) will occur May to July

8. Final Paving (Hesperian to Meekland) expected in August

What About the Grant Avenue Project?

Fung said the project, which is expected to take six to nine months to complete, is currently under design. According to Public Works Agency's Supervising Civil Engineer James Chu, the final drawing will be presented either in March or April.

Chu said the project will be advertised more over summer, around the time Lewelling Boulevard is set for completion.

"Construction will probably start end of the year depending on bid prices," Chu said.

The plans for Grant Avenue involve narrowing a jogging path lane adjacent to a pedestrian pathway to 24 inches wide and restriping the street lanes. A drainage system will be placed in the area so when it rains, the water will stay in the soil instead of ending up in the pathways.

Several residents were concerned with traffic congestion being similar to that of Lewelling Boulevard. Chu mentioned that a contractor will maintin traffic in the area during construction but unfortunately there won't be many detours other than Bockman Avenue.