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County Line Road: City outlines utility delays and plans to repave after water, sewer and storm projects finish
Summary
City staff told the council on April 14 that multiple utility projects — involving eight agencies and a major South Mesa Water Company contract — have delayed final paving on County Line Road. Staff said repaving between Fifth Street and Bryant Street could occur as early as September–October 2025 after remaining utility work is complete.
City staff on April 14 updated the Yucaipa City Council on the long-running County Line Road corridor improvement project and said extensive coordination with multiple utility agencies has delayed the final paving work.
The project, which runs from the I‑10 Freeway to Bryant Street, includes roundabouts, sidewalks, bike lanes and decorative lighting that are already completed in several segments. But staff emphasized that utility relocations, water‑main replacements, sewer work and a planned storm drain project remain. Those utility contracts, led by private and regional agencies, must be finished before the city applies the final pavement layer.
Why it matters: County Line Road has been under reconstruction in sections for years, affecting commute routes, local businesses and residents. Final repaving will remove interim speed bumps and settle maintenance needs, but the timeline depends on other agencies finishing underground work.
Key details from staff: Assistant City Engineer Landon Kern said the most extensive ongoing work is South Mesa Water Company’s water‑main replacement, which is “substantially complete, pending some final inspections and testing.” Kern also said the San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency plans to rehabilitate an older main and install a groundwater recharge basin; that work is scheduled for completion by September 2025. Kern told council, “We’re hoping that this difficult series of projects is coming to an end and we'll be able to repave that road and not see many, if at all, any more impacts for many, many years.”
Public comment and council questions: Resident George Sarteson urged the city to extract lessons from the protracted work and to consider different project management approaches for future large corridor projects. Several council members pressed staff about whether the city is withholding funds or approvals; staff said the city has agreements in place with Calimesa for some segments and does not foresee the city being the funding bottleneck for the storm drain project.
Next steps: Staff said they will continue coordinating with Calimesa, South Mesa Water Company and the San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency to align construction schedules and to confirm whether South Mesa will contribute to pavement repairs tied to its trenching. The city hopes to repave the Fifth‑to‑Bryant segment as early as September–October 2025 if remaining utility work is finished.
Ending: Council directed staff to follow up with Calimesa on any schedule issues and consider temporary pavement measures if larger utility work is delayed further.
