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In December 2008, work began on the Upper Fairmount Streetscape project. Before the holidays, new curb ramps, curb bulb-outs, decorative sidewalk surrounds, and speed tables were installed. In January eight crosswalks were treated with Tyre Grip, a product that applies colored slurry with a gritty, nonslip surface. This treatment is being used as a demonstration of this particular product, which was cost effective and seems to more be durable than some other treatments we investigated.

Next steps include the final striping and signage (which will finish off the crosswalk work) which is currently being scheduled with the low bidder, installation of the irrigation main line (using directional boring to avoid having to dig up the sidewalk areas along both sides of the street), and planting of over 40 new trees in the Spring. Concurrently with the irrigation and planting, we will make the final selections for news racks, bike racks, benches, and any other furnishings the business would like to see installed.

If you have any questions regarding the overall project, please contact the Public Works Department at (510) 215-4382. If you have any specific questions regarding the construction work or traffic detours, please contact Chris McKenna, the City’s Resident Engineer, at (925) 787-8946 or Gerardo Avila, the City’s Project Manager, at (925) 890-9796.

You may also access additional project information at www.el-cerrito.org/public_works/Upper_Fairmount.html
Your patience during this major construction project is greatly appreciated.

Project Overview:
The Public Works Department will begin construction of the Upper Fairmount Avenue Streetscape Project on Monday, October 27, 2008 through the end of November 2008. The current construction work will involve traffic lane closures and parking restrictions on Fairmount Avenue between Colusa Avenue and Albemarle Street. As such, please expect traffic delays and parking inconveniences in the area.

The project is funded through the Redevelopment Agency, and its primary goal is to provide a visual link between lower Fairmount and upper Fairmount commercial areas and enhance pedestrian circulation throughout the corridor. The current construction phase includes sidewalk bulb-outs, curb ramps, raised crosswalks, textured sidewalks, pavement resurfacing and traffic striping/markings. In a few months, trees and irrigation will also be installed.

The current construction will primarily take place at street corners, so interference with residential driveways will be rare. Residents will be notified at least two days before any work begins in front of their property or any parking on the street is restricted. The contractor will notify, in advance, the specific residents whose driveway or walkway access will be affected on a particular day, and will attempt to accommodate any special needs as they arise. Typically sidewalk improvements are completed within ten days from the time the existing sidewalk is removed.

If you have any questions regarding the overall project, please contact the Public Works Department at (510) 215-4382. If you have any specific questions regarding the construction work, please contact Chris McKenna, the City’s Resident Engineer, at (925) 787-8946 or Joseph Stuart, Construction Supervisor for Vanguard Construction, at (925) 580-4595.

You may also access additional project information at www.el-cerrito.org/public_works/Upper_Fairmount.html

Your patience during this major construction project is greatly appreciated.

Download the Construction Notice (32Kb) issued on November 21, 2008.
Download the Construction Notice (PDF, 23Kb) issued on October 24, 2008.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

The 2005-06 Capital Improvement Plan included a project to make streetscape improvements to the upper half of Fairmount Avenue as a follow up to the successful streetscape work on the lower half of Fairmount Avenue. The project was launched in 2006 with preliminary concept development and initiation of a community input process. The process resulted in the Upper Fairmount Avenue Master Streetscape Plan, which includes details of the various community meetings and the range of citizen input.

Download the Upper Fairmount Avenue Master Streetscape Plan (PDF, 25 MB)

Once the Plan was complete, City staff began to work out construction details that required some changes to the Plan. Staff presented the final construction recommendations to the City Council on July 21, 2008, and a summary of the final changes to the Master Plan and proposed scope of construction are summarized below:

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SCOPE OF WORK AND SCHEDULE

The Upper Fairmount Streetscape work will be completed in two phases.

1. The initial phase includes the following:
• Crosswalk Improvements at the commercial district (near Colusa) and near Harding Elementary School
• Three raised crosswalks to help calm and modulate traffic along Fairmount
• Sidewalk bulb-outs near Harding Elementary
• New curb ramps to enhance pedestrian and handicap access
• Street Tree planting program from Richmond Street to Ramona Avenue.

2. Phase two includes a realignment of the Ashbury-Fairmount intersection.

Phase One work will be commencing in the middle of October 2008. The curb ramps, crosswalk improvements, bulb-outs and sidewalk work will be complete in November. The irrigation, street tree planting and miscellaneous landscaping will begin after the City has coordinated with Fairmount residents on tree locations and preferences – probably later this winter.

Phase Two work was originally to be deferred until funding could be secured. Fortunately, the City won a safety grant this past summer that will provide adequate funding for the Ashbury-Fairmount intersection realignment. Design will commence in 2009 and construction will likely begin in late 2009 or early 2010.

The award of the safety grant came immediately after the City Council authorized interim improvements at the Ashbury-Fairmount intersection that would improve pedestrian circulation and safety. After news of the grant funding for the full project, the City Council directed staff to cancel the interim improvements and focus all resources on the full project.

If you have any questions about the Upper Fairmount Streetscape project, feel free to contact the Public Works Department at (510) 215-4382 or by emailing the Public Works Director at jbradshaw@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us.

Page updated: December 3, 2008