A major water main replacement project in Watsonville is now moving along Union Street as part of the ongoing citywide Water Main Replacement Program.
The project, which began on West Beach between Rodriuez and Main streets in October, continued eastward across Main Street, up East Beach Street to Lincoln Street and has now reached an offshoot moving south on Union Street and will end at Front Street.
Weather permitting, the job is set to wrap up around March 15.
Patrice Theriot, the city’s principal engineer, said the work is designed to replace and improve aging water infrastructure before unexpected breaks or disruptions to service and to conserve water by reducing water leaks, and improve water service and quality.
Farmers Market Manager Jesus Madrigal said the work will not affect the market that runs each Friday from 2-7pm along Union and Peck Streets.
Motor traffic is currently shut down along the northbound lane of Union Street between Peck and East Beach streets.
The system serves over 65,000 customers throughout Watsonville, Corralitos, Freedom and the Pajaro Beach Community.
The City Water Services crew has an annual goal of replacing at least 1.5 miles of pipeline each year.
Work also continues on a water main replacement on Riverside Drive west of Walker Street. Additionally, work just wrapped up on water main projects on Green Meadow Drive, and South Green Valley Road.
Meanwhile, Theriot said residents should be aware of the ongoing project of replacing crumbling sidewalks, curb and gutter and strengthening the ground below it on Main Street between Clifford Avenue and Watsonville Square, where the Nob Hill grocery store is located.
The work has forced officials to close the sidewalk to pedestrians and bicyclists between Clifford Avenue and Watsonville Square.
Celeste Morales of Caltrans—who is overseeing the job—said two-way traffic will remain open, but motorists can expect minor delays. The sidewalk is now closed to pedestrians and bicyclists between Clifford Avenue and Watsonville Square.
The $5.09 million project is expected to wrap up in the summer.
Still out to bid is a major repaving, and new curb ramps and Highway 129 (Riverside Drive) between Highway 1 and Salsipuedes Creek, near Blackburn Street and the Buddhist Temple.
