The original item was published from 12/16/2022 3:32:00 PM to 12/16/2022 3:32:51 PM.

News Flash

Public Works

Posted on: December 16, 2022

[ARCHIVED] East Blithedale Construction Update - December 16, 2022

Upcoming in Early 2023

Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) will replace a natural gas main and service laterals on East Blithedale Avenue between East Drive and Elm Avenue (east). The anticipated start date has yet to be determined, and the estimated duration of the project is 4 to 6 months. The scope of their work involves removing an aging steel natural gas main and replacing it with 2000 feet of fused 6” diameter plastic pipe. Residents will be notified of any gas shut off when their service is connected to the new gas main. There will be one-way traffic control throughout the work. We will update you as more information becomes available.

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: December 19th

East Blithedale Rehabilitation Phase 3 - Mountain View Avenue to Elm Avenue (west): Argonaut Constructors will continue concrete work along the north side of East Blithedale Avenue. Motorists should expect minor delays with flagged one-way traffic control.

Upcoming Work: Week of December 26th

East Blithedale Rehabilitation Phase 3 - Grove Street to Elm Avenue (west): Argonaut Constructors will continue concrete work along the South side of East Blithedale Avenue.

Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Phase 3 (Sunnyside Avenue to Millwood Street): On December 29th and 30th, 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.

Work crews will not close sewer laterals during the installation, so residents are free to use dishwashers, laundry, sinks, showers and toilets as usual.

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:

Paving over sanitary sewer lateral	Curb ramp demolition at Noth-East corner of Mountain View Avenue
Curb and gutter formwork west of Thalia Street	Curb ramp demolition at North-West corner of Thalia Street

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.