News Flash

Public Works

Posted on: January 20, 2023

East Blithedale Construction Update - January 20, 2023

Upcoming in Early 2023

Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) will replace a natural gas main and service laterals on East Blithedale Avenue between East Drive and Elm Avenue (east). The anticipated start date is January 30, 2023, and the estimated duration of the project is 4 to 6 months. Their work involves removing an aging steel natural gas main and replacing it with 2000 feet of fused 6” diameter plastic pipe. PG&E will notify residents of any gas shut-off when their service is connected to the new gas main. Flaggers will conduct one-way traffic control throughout the work and we will update you as more information becomes available. Work progression is weather dependent.

East Blithedale Avenue Open to Through Traffic

East Blithedale Avenue is open to through traffic between Camino Alto and Downtown Mill Valley. Motorists may experience localized closures or flagged one-way traffic control until May 2023. Please use Miller Avenue to access Downtown Mill Valley.

Crews continue working on East Blithedale Avenue between Sunnyside Avenue and Amicita Avenue to make ongoing improvements with sanitary sewer, storm drainage, and concrete work, which involves replacing curb ramps, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, and driveways.

Update on East Blithedale Avenue Pavement Conditions

As motorists know, the roadway condition of eastbound East Blithedale Avenue between Elm Avenue (near Park School) and Elm Avenue (near Hilarita Ave.) has been deteriorating. Over the past several weeks of rain, work crews have performed maintenance on the roadway; however, the moisture prevented asphalt products from adhering in the long term.

As drier weather is in the forecast, work crews will administer repairs. Roadway maintenance will continue while Pacific Gas & Electric is excavating between these streets. The Project would have completed replacement of the roadway structural section by now, but PG&E plans to replace their natural gas main between East Drive and Elm Avenue (near Hilarita Avenue). PG&E is scheduled to begin in early February. Project managers delayed the full depth paving so PG&E would have not destroyed the new roadway pavement.

We thank the community for your patience and recommend motorists follow the posted speed limits and proceed with caution as East Blithedale Ave remains an active work zone.

A Message from the Chamber of Commerce:

As the East Blithedale Avenue Project Continues, We Keep Ramping Up Our Support for Downtown Businesses & Nonprofits – Check Out Our New Signs Reminding You to #ShopMV! Click Here

Downtown Concrete Rehabilitation

Work crews will continue the concrete work Downtown, progressing east from Grove Street to Elm Avenue (west). Flagged one-way traffic control is in effect and street parking on East Blithedale Avenue is available opposite the construction.

What Is Happening This Upcoming Week: January 23rd

East Blithedale Rehabilitation Phase 3 - Grove Street to Elm Avenue (west): Argonaut Constructors will continue concrete work along the south side of East Blithedale Avenue.
East Blithedale Rehabilitation Phase 3 – East Drive: Argonaut Constructors will continue concrete work along the north side of East Blithedale Avenue at East Drive. This is the last location requiring concrete rehabilitation on the north side.

Upcoming Work: Week of January 30th

East Blithedale Rehabilitation Phase 3 - Grove Street to Elm Avenue (west): Argonaut Constructors will continue concrete work along the south side of East Blithedale Avenue. Motorists should expect minor delays with flagged one-way traffic control.
Pacific Gas & Electric – East Drive to Elm Avenue (east): PG&E work will involve removing an aging steel natural gas main and replacing it with 2000 feet of fused 6” diameter plastic pipe.

This Past Week in Photos:

Steam curing for cured-in-place-pipe liner withinsanitary sewer pipeline	Injection of steam to cure-in-place liner
Grouting pipe liner flush with the sanitary sewer manhole	Leak proof coating of sanitary sewer manhole

Thank You for Your Patience

City and Construction Management staff continue to mitigate construction impacts and are collaborating with the Mill Valley Chamber of Commerce to coordinate and notify local businesses of the planned work. The project team is available to answer questions and review concerns. The City of Mill Valley would like to send out a special thank you to the Mill Valley community for your patience during construction.