Cal Water replacing fire hydrants on East Avenue
CHICO >> California Water Service is transforming East Avenue.
“They are replacing 10 fire hydrants and it will help water system reliability,” said Cal Water Director of Corporate Communications Director Yvonne Kingman. “This will benefit the area for decades.”
The main part of the work will be performed Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. although some work may be done at night or during the weekends to help reduce traffic issues, according to a press release from the water agency. Temporary asphalt will be applied until permanent paving is completed. Chico will take care of the permanent paving as part of its rehabilitation project, which should begin in June.
The Cal Water project began March 7 but was delayed because of the rainstorms, according to the release. It has embarked on a water infrastructure upgrade that will improve water supply reliability and fire protection in North Central Chico. The project will include installation of about 6,000 feet of a new 8-inch water main along East Avenue and will be completed ahead of the city of Chico Road Rehabilitation Project.
“They work as much as they can between the rain,” Kingman said. “The area will reopen after work is done for the day. The workers move around in a methodical process.”
Installation will happen in two phases. The first phase will be on East Avenue, between Cohasset Road and Tom Polk Avenue. The second phase will be on East Avenue, between Esplanade and Connors Avenue. Construction will take about six to eight weeks for each phase. In addition to the new main line, 67 service connections are being replaced.
Kingman said what happens is the workers kind of move the construction as they go, which impacts traffic where they are working each day.
“We want to get the most out of the existing infrastructure and replace the main before it is unreliable. It’s cost effective,” Kingman said.
The total cost of both phases is $2.7 million.