Ark Valley News - Rains close Meridian after intersection opens

Rains close Meridian after intersection opens
By Chris Strunk
Last Updated: May 28, 2015

South Meridian opened in the evening of May 21, but heavy rains have forced portions of the road to be closed periodically ever since.

The underwater stormwater drainage system is not complete yet, city officials said, which has led to surface flooding primarily in the 100 and 200 blocks of South Meridian.

Detours returned to the construction zone at least twice since the Main and Meridian intersection re-opened last week.

"Traffic signs and barricades will be installed as needed to protect the safety of the traveling public," the city said in its weekly construction project update.

The $6.7 million project to reconstruct Meridian, Ramsey and Ford (77th North) in the heart of Valley Center entered its 11th week.

The Main and Meridian intersection as well as the area around the railroad tracks had been closed since March 23.

A public meeting to provide an update on the project and to answer questions will be held at 6 p.m. June 2 at City Hall, 121 S. Meridian. The meeting will include a 10- to 15-minute overview of current construction work, led by the engineer and contractor, followed by a 30-minute question-and-answer session.

Following is the city's weekly update on the project:

Current status of closures

•Main and Meridian intersection, as well as Meridian north of the railroad, open to through traffic. During periods of heavy rain, portions of Meridian and side roads may have limited access due to flooding until storm sewer system is installed to allow for subsurface drainage. Traffic signs and barricades will be installed as needed to protect the safety of the traveling public.

•Main and Meridian intersection to be 2-way stop controlled with stop signs on Main Street for east and westbound traffic prior to permanent traffic signal improvements. Permanent traffic signal installation is scheduled for late June/early July.

•Work has begun on the east half of Meridian and Ramsey with intermittent periods of limited access during demolition of pavement.

•The west half of Meridian will be open for access to the businesses in the area. Traffic may access this area from north and south Meridian, which will be open to traffic.

•The best routes to avoid construction are Seneca for traffic east of the project, and Ash north of Main or Sheridan south of Main for traffic west of the project.

Current status of construction

•Waterline relocation along east half of Meridian scheduled for June 3. Notifications to those affected by temporary service outage due to relocation are being provided by the City and Contractor.

•Pavement demolition along east half of Meridian and Ramsey.

•Pond grading ongoing south of Ford Street working from the south end of the detention pond towards the north.

•Concrete wall construction on pump station ongoing.

Next steps of construction (Approximately 2-3 weeks out)

•Storm sewer construction along east half of Meridian and Ramsey.