Construction starts for Boronda Rd Congestion Relief Project

SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV) -- The City of Salinas announced Thursday that it began Phase 1 construction for the long-awaited Boronda Rd Congestion Relief Project this week.

The city said that they've spent this week preparing the construction area with official breaking ground for Monday.

From Monday through Friday, the City of Salinas says that construction will last from 7 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Lane closures that take place during this time will consider the McKinnon School bell schedule, and the city says there will be a flagger on location.

The city said that during day construction, they will be surveying, staking, demolishing sidewalks and curbs, repairing the street, installing fencing, berm and trenching construction as well as sewage and drain work.

According to the City of Salinas, night work for the project will take place from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. from Sunday through Thursday with the potential for more work, if needed. They say that installation of a safety rail and a temporary crash cushion system, as well as patching, sewage and drain work will take place at this time.

The city says that the goal of this project is to widen East Boronda Road to a four-lane road, and to create four multi-lane roundabouts at a handful of intersections. These include McKinnon Street and El Dorado Drive, Natividad Road and Independence Boulevard.

In addition to this, the city says that the project will include bioretention facilities (rain gardens that use engineered soils and specific plants to trap and uptake pollutants in stormwater); buffered bike lanes; bus pullouts; sidewalks; ADA access ramps; storm drain lines; sanitary sewer lines; better street lighting; and landscaping.

More information including updates are available on the city's website at cityofsalinas.org.