Council presses timing of Villa Park Road, sewer upgrades as nearby hauling project looms

Councilmembers pressed staff on whether to proceed now with design and construction-related work on Villa Park Road, or to delay because a large nearby development in “East Orange” could subject the road to heavy hauling traffic.

Staff said the sewer design portion of the project — described as a $300,000 design effort for piping and slope work — is essential to prepare for future development and will not change if timed later. “The design for the 300,000 for the sewer will not change. The sewer design is the piping and the slope and all that. That is not gonna change,” staff said. (Steve)

Council members asked whether the city should postpone paving or median work until there is clarity on the East Orange hauling schedule. One council member noted the risk of repeated disruptions: “We don't want to improve it and then have it be destroyed by… trucks.” (Council member S6)

Staff said the city holds a $680,000 surety bond that can be used for repairs and emphasized efforts to coordinate routing and cost-sharing with the neighboring city manager. Staff also said that median upgrades were roughly estimated at $300,000, and 25/26th Street rehabilitation was estimated at $1.37 million. Staff described the project as a three-piece effort — median, sewer and road — that the council will consider together when final designs and bids are ready.

Council members asked that staff continue outreach and monitoring of timing before committing large construction sums, and staff said the median concept and conceptual costs will come back to council when grant or bid-ready materials are available.

What’s next: staff will seek grant opportunities and return with design details and a recommended schedule for construction and bidding.