GONZALES — Installation of pavement has officially begun on Alta and Third streets this week after a recent bout of rain caused brief delays.
“Granite (Construction) worked on Saturday, Jan. 6, in anticipation of the rain we got,” said Public Works Director Harold Wolgamott. “The rain did slow activity, so we’re about one week behind.”
Areas of North and South Street remain closed, including North Alta from 10th Street to First Street and South Alta Street. Full Depth Reclamation has been completed on North Alta Street and paving is expected to be completed by Friday, Jan. 19, excluding the top layer.
The Full Depth Reclamation process being used for Alta will grind the existing base with cement for a stiffer and less costly roadway base. The process means that Alta Street will have a very solid base for many years of service at the least possible cost, said Wolgamott.
“The top layer of pavement is done at the end for all sections as a continuous operation,” he said.
Additional signs and barricades have been posted on South Alta Street after they were run over several times.
Work in front of Constellation Winery and Dole has Full Depth Reclamation and the pavement for that section should also be completed by Friday. Employees of Constellation and trucks will be continuing to use Gloria Road until Monday, Jan. 22.
“As part of this project, the railroad crossing on Alta near Constellation will be covered and the crossing guards will be removed,” Wolgamott said. “This will allow traffic to flow better and certain vehicles will not be required to stop.”
According to Wolgamott, the railroad track has not been used in many years and the spur track is still available for reconnection to the mainline if shipping via rail is desired in the future.
The South Alta Street construction beginning Jan. 22 will move farther south to a new section from the cemetery to the Constellation Winery south entrance and exit. During that phase, Constellation and Dole access will be from town going south from C Street.
“Gloria Road traffic will still turn around at the bottom of the bridge at Alta if people try to drive past the signs and over the bridge,” Wolgamott said.
Following the work near the cemetery, the pavement project will move to C Street and Dole, which is anticipated to take place mid-February. Traffic from Dole and Constellation will be from Gloria Road. The project will wrap up with the intersections at 10th and Alta and Alta at Gonzales River Road around the end of February or first of March.
The City has noticed that the additional traffic on Belden and Center streets has resulted in several potholes, which Public Works staff is trying to keep up with. Any resident who notices a pothole that is not fixed within two days is asked to call City Hall at 831-223-5000.
