Construction is tentatively scheduled to begin in late April on the Via Lucero Wastewater Force Main Replacement Project, a infrastructure improvement designed to ensure continued reliable wastewater service for the community, the city of Santa Barbara said.
 
The $4.8 million project, expected to be completed by December, involves replacing a pressurized sewer main (force main) on Via Lucero between Bodega Lane and Hope Avenue.

The existing 1950s pressurized sewer main has reached the end of its useful life and will be replaced with redundant force mains, which will reduce risks of sewer spills and lower maintenance costs, the city said.

As part of the project, adjacent gravity sewer mains and manholes of similar age and condition will be replaced along portions of Hope Avenue and State Street. 
 
The project will span portions of Via Lucero, Hope Avenue, and Upper State Street. The boundaries are:
 
• Via Lucero from Bodega Lane to Hope Avenue
• Hope Avenue from Via Lucero to State Street
• State Street at Hope Avenue (northeastern area of intersection only)
 
According to the city, community benefits for this project include:
 
• Reduce the risk of leaks and system failures.
• Increase reliability for today’s wastewater demands.
• Provide better system monitoring and maintenance access.
• Allow repairs without service interruption.
 
The work will result in intermittent traffic impacts along Via Lucero, Hope Avenue, and State Street neighborhoods.

During construction, traffic along the 3900 block of Via Lucero (between Bodega Lane and North La Cumbre) will be periodically limited to westbound travel from 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Emergency vehicle access will be maintained at all times.
 

“Access to driveways will be available, though there may be short delays as equipment moves through the area,” the city said. “These details are preliminary and may change as construction progresses. Properties along the construction route will receive outreach materials with updated schedule information.”
 
The project is funded by monthly sewer service fees paid by city wastewater customers.

For more project information and to subscribe for updates, visit Via Lucero Wastewater Force Main Replacement Project.