Major Infrastructure Repairs To Shut Down Avenida de la Playa

If you have seen the water flow down Avenida de la Playa in La Jolla Shores during and after the rain, you know that infrastructure improvements are much needed. Storm drains back flow and storm water pollution piles up.

The city is ready to move forward with a $2.26 million infrastructure replacement project that could commence as early as September.

The La Jolla Community Planning Association voted to support Phase I of the Avenida de la Playa Infrastructure Replacement Project at its Jan. 5 meeting. The project consists of the replacement and realignment of 650 feet of existing storm drain from the base of Avenida de la Playa at the beach to Camino del Sol, upgrades to the existing outfall structure and the installation of a “low flow diversion” unit and trash collector upstream from the outfall.

“These things are going to help move water out of this watershed faster. These things are going to help collect pollutants out of this watershed,” said Bill Harris, senior public information officer with the city, during the Community Planning Association's meeting.

The La Jolla Shores Association also supported this project.

Harris explained that the project would use precast piping to help move the project along more quickly.

“This is not to say there won’t be considerable construction impacts through these areas, but we will be able to time them, stage them and get out of the way to restore what we need to restore including beach access,” said Harris.

Phase I is expected to begin in September and conclude by May 2013.

Phase II of the project has yet to be designed or scheduled. It includes the replacement of the remaining 650 feet of existing storm drain from Camino del Sol to Del Ocaso along Avenida de la Playa. Like in Phase I, sewer and water main piping will be replaced.

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