Construction Update - Red Top Road opens Wednesday 8/14/2024

The contractor completed the pavement work on Red Top Road last week. Work started on August 8, and paving operations continued through August 9.

City staff completed the performance testing for the new Red Top Road domestic water pump station. Staff conducted tests to confirm that the new pump station will reliably maintain zone pressures under various situations, such as normal demand, peak demand, fire flows, pump failures, and power outages. 

After the new pump station's start-up and testing were completed, the contractor also completed valve abandonment work.

All lanes of Red Top Road will be open for vehicular use on Wednesday, August 14.

Here's what to expect in the coming days:

• 8/13 - Contractor continues to raise utility maintenance holes and valve lids to grade. The striping contractor will finish pre-marking today. On-going site clean-up and prep for roadway opening

• 8/14 - The road is opened, and there will be traffic cones to assist northbound motorists merging onto the freeway interchange. The signal at Havenhill Road at Red Top will be taken off 'FLASH' and put into operation.

• 8/15-16 - Lane striping, pavement markings, and reflectors will be installed. Work will occur after 5 p.m.

• After 8/16 - Punchlist items and landscape improvements will occur between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. when school is in session. 

This project will widen and rehabilitate Red Top Road between Havenhill Road and Interstate 80 transforming it into an updated, four-lane arterial street.

The design and construction of the project is being completed through a development agreement between the City and the developer, Albert D. Seeno Construction Co. 

Widening improvements shall include adding two additional vehicle lanes on the south side of Red Top Road, with a dedicated eastbound, left-turn pocket into the new Enclave subdivision located on the north side of Red Top Road.

The roadway improvements include a six-foot-wide buffered bicycle lane, providing bicycle connectivity to McGary Road, which is a segment of the Vallejo, Benicia, Fairfield Bicycle Loop

Construction started in late September 2022, and is anticipated to continue through early August 2024. Please note that this schedule is subject to change depending on weather, unanticipated circumstances, and seasonal access restrictions to creek areas. Work will typically take place 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. from Monday through Friday. On occasion, if deemed necessary and as approved by the City, periodic night work and/or weekend work may be necessary. Prior notice will be given for night work, and if periodic weekend work is needed.

This construction includes significant roadway excavation, widening, paving, landscaping, traffic signal installation, culvert installation, utility upsizing, and utility relocations. As with all large construction projects, there will be unavoidable disruptions to nearby neighbors and to motorists traveling in the area. We apologize in advance for noise, dust, lane closures, traffic delays, and any other impacts or inconveniences.

When driving in the area, always be aware of construction crews and equipment, flaggers, special signage, slower traffic, and rough roadway. Follow all special directions from signs and crews, and never travel faster than is safe for the conditions. If possible, use an alternate route to avoid traffic delays.

Thank you for your cooperation and patience as we work to widen and improve this important roadway.  

Construction Update - Red Top Road Widening Project
August 7th, 2024

This week, the contractor completed the pavement work on Red Top. Work started on August 8^th and paving operations continued through August 9^th. Traffic control devices will continue to be in place to allow motorist to travel within the construction area. Next week the contractor is planning on installing pavement markings and lane delineation striping. This work is scheduled for the night of August 15th.

Last week on July 30th, City staff completed the performance testing for the new Red Top Road domestic water pump station. Staff conducted tests to confirm the new pump station will reliably maintain zone pressures under various situations, such as normal demand, peak demand, fire flows, pump failures and power outages. With the completion of the start-up and testing of the new pump station, the contractor also completed valve abandonment work.

Construction Update - Red Top Road Widening Project
July 24th, 2024

On July 18th, the contractor installed the 16" domestic waterline and its connection in Watt Drive. This past week, City staff conducted pressure testing, completed the disinfection process, and connected the line to the City's water distribution system.

This is a critical step in the overall project completion, as the City plans to expand the operation of the new potable water pump station to the area's entire residential and commercial users.

This more extensive diameter pipeline will allow for minimal disruption to the water service while the existing water pump station and underground infrastructure are abandoned in the upcoming weeks.

Construction Update - Red Top Road Widening Project
July 17th, 2024

Last week, the City’s contractor started work at the center median on Red Top near Havenhill Road. This week, in addition to continuing the concrete median work, the contractor is installing electrical boxes and pulling wire for streetlights. Based on the current schedule provided by the developer, the final roadway construction schedule is as follows:

• August 8 - 9: pave final 2" lift of asphalt

• August 10 - 13: adjust utility valve lids to final roadway elevation

• August 15 - 16 (night work): install thermoplastic striping

The construction scheduled has taken into consideration the start of school on August 14th and there will be no work completed on this day.

At the pump station last week, City crews tested the communication equipment, flow meter, valves, and emergency stand-by generators, with the vendors/subcontractors. This week, the plan is to deliver water through the pump station to a limited number of homes and start the performance testing period (July 23 – August 5). 

Construction Update - Red Top Road Widening Project
July 10th, 2024

This week, the roadway contractor is working near the intersection of Red Top Road at Havenhill Road to extend the center median and create a new left-turn lane into the subdivision. Planned work in this area will continue through next week. The contractor is progressing to complete roadway widening improvements by August 9^th.

As part of the existing domestic water pump station abandonment process, the contractor is mobilizing equipment and crews to start installation of a new 16-inch waterline. The new water infrastructure will be in a vacant parcel and will be connected to the existing water system in Havenhill Road and in Watt Drive. This new waterline will provide service redundancy and adequate water pressure to both residential and commercial uses in the area. The contractor’s schedule anticipates this underground waterline to start construction on July 15^th and continue through the end of the month.

At the domestic water pump station this week, the control valve manufacturer was onsite testing and inspecting. Next week, the flow meter company is scheduled to conduct their equipment testing.

Construction Update - Red Top Road Widening Project
June 27th, 2024

This week, the contractor started paving operations on a portion of the existing northbound Red Top Road lanes. Construction includes excavation and removal of the existing pavement section to subgrade, placing rock and fabric, and placing new asphalt. Based on the contractor’s projected construction schedule, work on the existing northbound Red Top Road is expected to continue through mid-July. The overall roadway construction schedule anticipates work to continue until August 9^th.

On June 13^th, PG&E energized the new domestic pump station. Over the past few weeks, the contractor has had various subcontractors onsite commencing equipment testing.

Construction Update - Red Top Road Widening Project
June 10th, 2024

This week, construction crews and equipment mobilized to start roadway excavation near Red Top Road at McGary Road. Work at this location includes reconstructing Red Top Road to a pavement structural section of 7” asphalt over 27.5” of aggregate base rock. This phase of construction near McGary Road and the freeway on/off ramp is anticipated to continue through late June. Please use caution when driving near the work area, as construction requires temporarily lane closures, installation of traffic control devices and flaggers to provide circulation.

On May 28, the contractor reinstalled the electrical components that were previously vandalized at the pump station. Until the pump station is energized, which is anticipated to take place next week, the contractor has on-site security. Other key project milestones completed include:

• The City reviewed and approved the test report for the electrical equipment. This report documents that the contractor has installed the electrical equipment in accordance with applicable state codes and standards.

• On June 11, the City completed the final on-site electrical inspections for the new pump station. 

These steps are critical to ensure that the pump station has been properly connected to the electrical power supply and is equipped with all the appropriate protective devices. Upcoming in the next week, the contractor is scheduling the meter to be set by PG&E and ‘powering-up’ the new pump station. Once energized, the City will conduct a 3-week commissioning period to ensure that pump is performing/operating as design.

Construction Update - Red Top Road Widening Project
April 18th, 2024

Earlier this month, the new domestic water pump station was vandalized again and critical electrical equipment (e.g., main breaker, mounting hardware, etc.) was stolen. The timing of this incident could not have occurred at a worst time, as the pump station was ready for energization, start-up, and testing. The contractor is assessing the damage and ordering parts to rebuild the pump station.

The damage and reconstruction of the pump station has an impact to the overall completion of the Red Top Road widening improvements. Underground water valves and piping for the existing pump station are located within the planned roadway widening. This existing water system cannot be abandoned until the new one is operational. Should the paving work commence ahead of the new pump station completion, the project would be excavating recently placed asphalt.

In the past weeks, the roadway contractor has installed streetlights within the median and along the southern side of Red Top Road.

Construction Update - Red Top Road Widening Project
March 20th, 2024

Last week, the contractor continued roadway construction at the intersection of McGary at Red Top. Work included grading the widened section and preparing the intersection for asphalt paving. 

This week work has been focused on completing the pump station. The contractor is working with PG&E to set the electrical meter and pull wire to energize. Once this work is completed, the startup, testing and commissioning of the new pump station will be conducted. Typically, this work includes, hydrostatic pressure testing, flushing, disinfecting, and taking bacteriological tests.

The contractor’s schedule anticipates work to continue through the end of April.   

Construction Update - Red Top Road Widening Project
February 27th, 2024

Despite the rainy weather the past couple of weeks, roadway construction continues to widen Red Top Road. During the week of February 19th. the developer and its contractor paved the new eastbound lanes of Red Top Road. The new pavement is currently a few inches lower than the existing roadway because the developer has not yet placed the final lift (layer) of asphalt. The new pump station still needs to be completed, and the old pump station decommissioned, before the final pavement lift is placed because excavation within the street is still required.

In the upcoming weeks (and weather permitting), the contractor plans to temporarily stripe the widen portion of Red Top Road, start excavation and removal of asphalt on McGary Road and existing Red Top Road. Motorist can expect significant delays, as construction will include temporary lane closures and traffic control flaggers throughout the day. Construction is expected to continue through March-April.

Construction Update - Red Top Road Widening Project
February 6th, 2024

There has been minimal progress on the roadway construction in the past two weeks due to the rainy, wet conditions.  The developer continues to monitor the installed erosion and sediment control measures through the storm events.

In addition to the roadway work, staff met with the developer and its contractor on-site to assess the vandalized Red Top Pump Station. Preliminary findings indicate damage to the electrical equipment, installed wiring, security fencings, cabinets, and locks. Currently there is no estimated timeline for bringing the pump station online. 

Construction Update - Red Top Road Widening Project
January 18th, 2024

The wet weather has slowed construction progress the past two weeks. The developer has installed waddles, construction fencing, and applied best management practices to handle stormwater runoff within the project area. 

This past weekend, a break-in occurred at the under-construction Red Top Road Water Pump station. The developer and staff are in the process of assessing the damage and appropriate next steps. This incident will have a significant impact on the overall project construction schedule as several components of the pump station have substantial lead time for fabrication and delivery.

In addition to roadway construction, Public Works’ crews responded to requests for pothole repairs on Red Top Road outside the boundary of the current construction. Staff will continue to monitor the existing condition of the road and make repairs as needed.

Construction Update - Red Top Road Widening Project
January 9th, 2024

The cold, wet weather has slowed construction activities on Red Top Road. As weather allows, the developer Discovery Builders and its contractors, are scheduled to install concrete center medians this week. There are approximately 1,500 linear feet of center median and work is anticipated to continue through next week. Once constructed, the new center median will channel traffic and allow eastbound left turns at Valerian Dr. and Havenhill Dr.

The developer will locate and start work to adjust the existing utility vaults and manholes to grade in the upcoming weeks. The rain has also caused some erosion control impacts so Public Works will work with the developer to remedy these issues by installing stormwater best management practices, e.g., fiber rolls, sediment check dams, etc.

Red Top Road Widening Project Update
December 19th, 2023

Discovery Builders and its contractors have completed approximately 45% of the roadway widening improvements on Red Top Road. To date, they have also completed the installation of underground utilities (e.g., storm drain, water, sewer, and irrigation sleeves), completed rough grading activities, and prepared the structural section of the widened roadway section. Their most recent progress is on the installation of the curb and gutter.

Discovery is also building a new domestic water pump station on Yarrow Drive, adjacent to Red Top Road. The pump station will be an upgraded facility to replace the antiquated one and provide adequate water pressure to meet future water demands. The new pump station should be online in early January, 2024. Once operational, the existing infrastructure can be removed.

The finish grading, asphalt paving, and roadway improvements will also continue through the first quarter 2024 and completion is dependent on fair, warm weather.

The existing development agreement between the developer and the City required the developer to complete the construction of the new pump station and Red Top Road widening by December 31. While the developer made good progress on these improvements, construction will extend past the deadline so the City has advised that future building permit issuance to the developer will be withheld until the scope of work is completed.

Red Top Road Extension Construction Update (10-9 to 10-13)
October 23, 2023

Last week, the contractor took advantage of the clear, sunny weather to continue construction activities along Red Top Road. Heavy equipment is currently on-site and moving dirt to establish 'rough grade' for the future widened roadway.

Excavation is also taking place for a future potable waterline. Construction is being completed by Discovery Builders, Inc. as part of the surrounding master planned residential developments. Construction is anticipated to continue through the end of the year and completion is contingent on fair weather.