By Brian Park
An overhead image of the proposed changes in Caltrans’ Interstate 5/Ortega Highway Interchange Improvement Project. Courtesy image
In preparation for Caltrans’ impending Interstate 5/Ortega Highway Interchange project, the San Juan Capistrano City Council approved a $1,695,422 construction contract for the relocation of nearby water and sewer lines on Friday, January 4.
During a special meeting, the City Council unanimously approved the agreement with Signal Hill-based Charles King Company, which will begin work this month to supply and install 2,511 linear feet of pipeline.
The project also calls for the removal and abandonment of 863 and 2,050 linear feet of pipeline, respectively. Charles King Company will also conduct soil testing for hydrocarbons at the former Chevron location on the corner of Del Obispo Street and Ortega Highway, as well the relocation of existing fire hydrants affected by the changes.
Plaza Banderas Hotel, which has yet to be built, has agreed to pay $366,289 to satisfy water flow requirements required in its development agreement with the city. Costs for construction management and survey and design work could increase the hotel’s contribution to $476,156.
The total cost of the project is $2,105,211. The city originally budgeted $1,050,716 for the project but received a reimbursement for $890,000 from Caltrans. The remainder was made up by increasing funding from water operations, $34,495, and from defunding two future capital improvement projects—pump sanitation improvements, $100,000, and chemical tank upsizing, $25,000.
The pump station improvement project was scheduled to begin in 2015 but will now be deferred, according to Utilities Director Keith Van Der Maaten. City staff will also look for another way to start the chemical tank upsizing project, Van Der Maaten said.
The project is required as part of Caltrans’ I-5/Ortega Highway Interchange project because existing pipelines would bisect newly created parcels. The pipelines, which predate I-5, will be relocated to run adjacent to property lines thereby facilitating future maintenance and operation.
The pipelines must be relocated before Caltrans begins work in February.
The council also unanimously approved a $157,291 construction management contract with Irvine-based RBF Consulting. Plaza Banderas Hotel has agreed to pay an additional $30,000 for construction management services.
