Public Works details Palomar widening, Clint Keith timeline and potential Monte Vista closure; parks and signal grants advance

Jason Faring, representing Wildomar’s Public Works and Engineering department, gave a comprehensive quarterly update covering multiple capital-improvement projects: Palomar Street widening and cemetery frontage work, the Clinton/Clint Keith widening, the more complex Segment 2 roadway raising, two park projects, a traffic-signal grant project and a flood-control storm-drain installation that may require closures.

Palomar Street widening and cemetery frontage: Faring said construction on the Palomar Street widening (Greuel Street to Wildomar Veil) started this week and the project includes reconstructing perimeter walls at the cemetery and new landscaping along the frontage. He explained trees along the cemetery must be removed because the project requires moving the wall and because several trees were already sick or damaged. "To widen the street, we had to push the wall. To push the wall, we have to remove the trees at the cemetery," Faring said. Barring weather or unforeseen conditions, he said the contractor expects to complete the work in November.

Clint/Clint Keith widening: Design is wrapping up for the widening project that will create a consistent six-lane section with bike lanes from the 15 Freeway east to the Murrieta city limit. The main outstanding items are environmental permits — specifically from the state water board and the Department of Fish and Wildlife — needed because culverts and drainage work are involved. Faring said the city hopes to advertise the project in August and begin construction in December, assuming permits and utility coordination proceed as planned.

Segment 2 and utility coordination: Faring described Segment 2 as substantially more complex: some portions of the roadway will be raised about 15 feet while other sections will be cut approximately 5 feet to meet design standards. That work requires significant utility coordination (water, gas, overhead power) and staging to keep the road open during construction. Edison’s plans are a critical dependency and Faring warned of schedule risk: "There is a risk to the city if we move forward with advertising and we don't have these utility coordination details fully figured out." Councilmembers asked whether nighttime lighting or other safety measures should be required in construction specifications; Faring said he would add lighting considerations to construction-staging reviews.

Parks: For the funded 27-acre park, Faring said phase 1 design and federal environmental steps are close to completion and the city aims to advertise in June with construction this fall. For the 20-acre park, the city expects initial public access work (security fencing, an access/parking area, a pedestrian bridge and irrigation upgrades) to be ready for community use by late summer or fall while design and fundraising continue for full development.

Signal grant and other CIP items: The Harvestway/Bridal Canyon traffic-signal project has design complete and is ready for construction, but the awarded safety grant does not cover the entire cost; Faring indicated the remaining balance is roughly $500,000 and the council will consider a budget adjustment. On the flood-control project, contractors will install a large storm drain that may require at least lane closures and possibly a full closure of Monte Vista from Bundy Canyon to Summer Sage for safety and equipment access; Faring said the city and flood-control district are evaluating the best approach and will provide public notice and detour plans if a closure is required.

Council follow-up and risks: Faring emphasized the city is sequencing construction to minimize risk and keep utilities operational during work, and said schedules may shift if utility agencies or permit timelines change. No formal council action was taken during the update; councilmembers requested continued coordination and advanced public notice for any closures.