Caltrans, City Roadwork To Start On Hwy 29/Main Street In St. Helena

ST. HELENA, CA— Caltrans expects to start emergency drainage replacement work Monday, Sept. 11, on Highway 29 in St. Helena, and the city will "piggyback" on the work with a project of its own.

One-way traffic control will be in place on southbound lanes of SR-29 — Main Street — between Adams Street and Madrona Avenue nightly between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. Monday-Friday, Sept. 11-Oct. 9.

This $2.7-million emergency repair by Caltrans will replace and upgrade the drainage system within the state's right-of-way —from curb to curb—on Highway 29.

Motorists traveling on SR-29 through St. Helena should expect traffic delays during this time, Caltrans said.

All work is weather-dependent and may be extended or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.

"Every effort will be made to minimize inconvenience, but construction noise cannot be entirely avoided," Caltrans Spokesperson Hector Chincilla said. "Caltrans thanks residents for your patience."

City Improvements To Coincide With Caltrans Work

"The City of St. Helena has worked with Caltrans to minimize the impact on businesses, residents, and travelers," said Andrew Bradley, assistant to the city manager.

To that end, all work will be completed during the overnight hours, with work beginning at 8 p.m. and ending by 6 a.m. Monday through Friday. Furthermore, work closer to Adams Street will only occur on Mondays and Tuesdays to help minimize the impact on hotel guests in the area.

While this work is taking place, the City of St. Helena Public Works Department will take the opportunity to upgrade and replace five sewer laterals on this section of the street, utilizing an additional state grant. The work was not scheduled to start until 2024 or 2025 but the Public Works team wants to "piggyback" on the project to minimize future impacts on businesses and residents while also realizing cost savings, city officials said Friday.

“The City of St. Helena recognizes that the timing of this work coincides with peak season in the Napa Valley and continues to work with Caltrans and our business community to mitigate construction impacts as much as possible,” said Joe Leach, public works director for the City of St. Helena. "This work will continue to help improve our infrastructure and gives our Public Works team an opportunity to begin work replacing sewer laterals earlier than planned and will help reduce any future closures for this section of Main Street."

Residents or businesses with questions should contact Mario Traverso, assistant engineer for the City of St. Helena, at 707-204 9084 or mtraverso@cityofsthelena.org.