News Flash

Public Works

Posted on: November 8, 2022

East Blithedale Construction Update - November 4, 2022

Project managers will reschedule Sycamore Avenue roadway paving until the weather forecast shows favorable paving conditions. See below for more details.

East Blithedale Avenue Open for Through Traffic

East Blithedale Avenue is now open to through traffic between Camino Alto and Downtown Mill Valley. Motorists may experience localized closures or flagged one-way traffic control until May 2023.We encourage motorists to use Miller Avenue to access Downtown Mill Valley.

Crews continue working on East Blithedale Avenue between Sunnyside Avenue and Amicita Avenue to allow for ongoing sanitary sewer and concrete work, which involves replacing curb ramps, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, and driveways.

A Message From the Chamber of Commerce:

As Blithedale Project Continues, We Keep Ramping Up Our Support For Downtown Businesses & Nonprofits – Check Out Our New Signs Reminding You to #ShopMV! Click Here

Downtown Concrete Rehabilitation

The concrete work taking place Downtown will progress east from Sunnyside Avenue to Grove Street. Flagged one-way traffic control is in effect and street parking on East Blithedale Avenue is available opposite the construction.

What Is Happening This Upcoming Week: November 7th

Sycamore Avenue Pavement Rehabilitation: As the weather forecast shows rain next week, the roadway paving shall occur the following week, weather permitting.
East Blithedale Rehabilitation Phase 2 (Mesa Avenue): Argonaut Constructors will continue concrete work at Mesa Avenue and East Blithedale Avenue. Flaggers will conduct one-way traffic control. Pedestrians may use the south side sidewalk.
East Blithedale Rehabilitation Phase 3 (Hill Street to Elm Avenue (west) ): Argonaut Constructors will continue concrete work along the north side of East Blithedale Avenue. Storm drain system improvements will continue between Mountain View Avenue and Grove Street. Motorists should expect minor delays with flagged one-way traffic control. Bus riders should be aware that bus stop 40139 at Mountain View Avenue will be out of service. Click here to view nearby alternate stops.

Upcoming Work: Week of November 14th:

Sycamore Avenue Pavement Rehabilitation - Paving Cancellation: There will be no paving on Sycamore Avenue, originally scheduled for the week of November 14, 2022. The cancellation is due to Sycamore Avenues having an abundance of trees creating shade and low morning temperatures which slows warming to an acceptable ambient temperature for paving. In addition, the recent time change minimizes our workday to work safely in daylight. The pavement restoration will be rescheduled for late spring when temperatures rise. The residents of Sycamore Avenue can use street parking.
East Blithedale Rehabilitation Phase 3 (Grove Street to Elm Avenue (west)): Argonaut Constructors will continue concrete work along East Blithedale Avenue.
Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Phase 3 (Sunnyside Avenue to Millwood Street): Argonaut Constructors will install cured-in-place-pipe (CIPP) lining. This is a trenchless rehabilitation and restoration method used to repair existing pipes. During the installation , residents near the work will notice a chemical odor. This is the smell of styrene, a component of the resin used to saturate the sewer liner. This odor will quickly dissipate once the installation process is complete. Sewer laterals to the residents will not be closed during the installation.

What you can do:

Before Sewer CIPP Work Begins: Pour a gallon of water into sinks, floor drains, or other drainage openings, especially those that are seldom used and whose traps may be empty of water, before the contractor begins sewer lining work. This should prevent any odor from entering your building or home.
During Sewer CIPP Work: It is important that while this work is being performed you limit activities that utilize large volumes of water, such as doing laundry, dishwashing, flushing toilets and bathing. If you do detect an odor, simply open your windows and/or turn on a fan to help ventilate the building. This level of concentration of airborne styrene does not pose a health risk.

This Past Week In Photos:

Sunnyside Ave NW corner restoration.	Temporary edge of pavement restoration at Park School.
Storm drainage improvement at Mountain View Ave.	Bus Stop 40141 Restoration

Thank You for Your Patience

City and Construction Management staff continue to mitigate construction impacts and are collaborating with the Mill Valley Chamber of Commerce to coordinate and notify local businesses of the planned work. The project team is available to answer questions and review concerns. The City of Mill Valley would like to send out a special thank you to the Mill Valley community for your patience during construction.