West Pueblo rehab

The deteriorated section of West Pueblo Avenue between Linda Vista Avenue and Rancho Drive is under repair.

This project includes reconstruction of failed sections of the street, replacement of a water main, and repaving. Work will be complete around the end of October, barring weather delays. During construction, West Pueblo Avenue is closed to through traffic from Linda Vista Avenue to Rancho Drive. Only residents and emergency vehicles have access.

Detour signs direct traffic to West Park Avenue and Rancho Drive as the alternate route, but these streets have low capacity and drivers who do not have a specific need to travel through this area are asked to avoid the work area by using Linda Vista Avenue and Redwood Road as the alternate route.

First Street Bridge work

Chances are you are aware that the replacement of the First Street Bridge over the Napa River is under way and First Street is closed on either side of the bridge. Extended work hours have been required in recent weeks, and may remain necessary through the end of October in order to meet critical schedule deadlines. The contractor is working to finish construction of the new bridge foundation prior to the end of the “in-water work window,” which only allows construction activities to take place in the river between July 1 and Oct. 15 each year. (The city has applied for an extension to Oct. 31.) The purpose of these restrictions is to protect endangered resources, and as a spawning area for endangered fish species, the Napa River is subject to related regulatory controls. Extended work hours to maintain the schedule are necessary to meet the goal of re-opening First Street by the end of July 2009.

139 sidewalk sites

Each year, the city takes on as many sidewalk repairs as can be completed with available funds. This fall, sidewalk repairs will be done at 139 locations around the city. These are mostly residential locations. The Public Works Department is using gas tax and general fund money to complete these repairs costing about $1.2 million. Work is expected to be complete in January 2009. A list of the repair sites can be seen at www.cityofnapa.org on the Traffic and Construction page.

Disposing of meds

In the past it was common to dispose of old or unwanted medications by flushing them down the drain. Over time it was recognized that the chemicals in medications can contaminate the environment and need to receive a proper disposal. As of Sept. 1, 2008, a new state law prohibits the disposal of home-generated sharps (medical syringes and needles) in the trash. An opportunity to get rid of unwanted pharmaceuticals and sharps will come up on Saturday, Oct. 11, when the Napa Police Department sponsors a collection event at 1539 First St. from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Local residents are encouraged to bring their unused or expired pharmaceuticals, as well as home-generated sharps. For more info, visit www.cityofnapa.org and at www.naparecycling.com.

Riverwalk hours

The section of the new riverwalk on the west side of the Napa River from Third Street to Fifth Street is now open to the public on weekdays, even as work continues at the Napa Riverfront project. As of Oct. 1, the promenade has been opened for use Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., Fridays through Sundays and holidays from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. The Third-to-Fifth section of the riverwalk will remain closed in the overnight hours until the opening of the Napa Riverfront project. The sections of the promenade along the Napa Mill and from Veteran’s Memorial Park north will remain open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Bridge to somewhere

While to some it may look like one of those infamous “bridges to nowhere,” the new pedestrian bridge across Napa Creek from Coombs Street to Clinton Street is actually a bridge to somewhere for the future. The Flood Protection Project requires the future removal of the current Coombs Street Bridge and two other creek bridges. The Flood District has installed the new Coombs-Clinton pedestrian bridge in advance of the rest of the creek work to allow time for relocation of utility lines that run under the existing bridge. This new bridge opened to the public on Oct. 1.

If you have questions about city projects contact Barry Martin, community outreach coordinator for the city of Napa, at 707-258-7843 or bmartin@cityofnapa.org

 Napa City Update provides information from Napa city officials about on-going projects of public interest. The column appears on the first Tuesday of each month. All information is from the City of Napa.