The Electric Avenue storm drain project is nearly complete, a fact that will relieve Old Town Seal Beach residents.
Associate Engineer David Spitz, of the Public Works Department, confirmed the project was nearly done in a Wednesday, May 25 e-mail to the Sun.
“The past nine months have been demanding ones in attempting to complete this large construction project before the summer months hit,” Spitz wrote.
“At this time, all storm drain pipe is in the ground and connected and all catch basins are fully operational,” Spitz wrote.
“The street has since been repaved and restriped and is open for travel and parking,” Spitz said. He thanked the public for its understanding of the inconveniences caused by the construction project.
The storm drain project required the closure of Electric Avenue, reduced available parking and caused Orange County bus routes 42 and 42A to be rerouted. The project was originally expected to be completed in March 2011.
Sean Crumby, director of Public Works, said staff had given the contractor Excel Paving a list of final tasks to perform before the project is considered complete.
Crumby said he hoped to present the City Council with notice of completion by the second council meeting in June.
As reported in October 2010, Excel Paving constructed a new storm drain pipe on Electric Avenue from Seal Beach Boulevard to 14th Street.
Excel Paving also installed new storm drain pipes on 14th, 15th and 16th Streets. The project was originally estimated to cost $1.7 million, according to Robert Goldberg, a Seal Beach activist who follows the city’s budget.
“I can tell you that based on the proposed FY 11-12 budget, staff is expecting to have about $2.1 million left in the reserves designated for storm drain improvements after the Electric project is paid off,” Goldberg said.
Crumby said there were change orders on the project, but he did not have the figures with him at the time of the interview. As for Excel Paving, Crumby said the company had been the low bidders on a number of Seal Beach jobs.
“We’ve been happy with them. They’ve done a good job,” Crumby said.
