Press Release posted 1/13/13 – City of Sierra Madre Public Works staff has begun the first of three projects that will take place along the 600 block of East Grand View Avenue over the next few months. The first project consists of constructing a new, permanent entry to the spreading basin facility. The new gate will replace the existing entry that’s adjacent to Sycamore Place. The project includes removal of a portion of the old rubble perimeter wall around the facility and the construction of new entry pilasters using the wall materials. This project is designed to facilitate the two following projects.
The second project will begin on February 4th, when staff from the Metropolitan Water District (MWD) will arrive at the spreading basins and begin to make preparations for the construction of a point of connection to the 9 ½ foot MWD Upper Feeder pipeline that traverses Sierra Madre along Grand View. Actual construction in the street will begin February 14. The project will require the complete closure of Grand View between February 21st and 28th, along with around-the-clock construction activity during that period. The project will continue with intermittent traffic interruptions through April 21. (Inclement weather may lengthen the project duration, beyond the current schedule.)
While traffic will be detoured around the work area along Foothill Avenue, residents are urged to use Sierra Madre Boulevard instead of the Foothill detour, out of courtesy to the residents of that neighborhood. Please assist MWD and the City in minimizing the impact on the project’s neighbors.
The third project will be the construction of a 12 inch pipeline from the new MWD point of connection along the east side of the city’s spreading basin property to connect directly with the City’s water system at the maintenance yard. This project is not expected to have traffic impacts.
The MWD connection for Sierra Madre is being constructed in order to provide an emergency water supply for the city. The project is timely in light of one of the City’s four wells being damaged and out of service indefinitely, and in light of the decline in water levels in the City’s aquifer. Both water projects are wholly funded by the San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District.