AUBURN
, CALIF.
-- Repairs to two slide-damaged sections of Foresthill Roadtook two big steps forward this week. On Monday, bids were opened by the County Procurement Services Division and an apparent low bidder was identified for the repair contract. On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors approved a resolution authorizing the Public Works Director to execute the construction contract.
With the opening of the bids, the next step will be a seven-day appeal period. Public Works expects to have the contract signed next week and work would then begin immediately after Labor Day.
The Supervisors Tuesday action authorized $2.8 million for the repairs. The lowest bid received is approximately $400,000 less than the authorized amount, pending an evaluation to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the bid.
"Repairs to this roadway have been a priority for the County," said Supervisor Bruce Kranz, whose district encompasses both the slide area and town of Foresthill. "I'm pleased that the work will begin soon and the road will remain open to residents, visitors and any emergency vehicles that need to get in or out of the area."
Foresthill Road
is the main paved roadway in and out of Foresthill. Rerouting of the traffic lanes has allowed two lanes to remain open since the sliding occurred. It is Public Works goal to keep two lanes open through construction, although there may be short periods when traffic controls are in effect. Construction will continue until winter rains begin. Any work left will be completed in the spring.
The roadway east of Drivers Flat was damaged this spring after significant rains caused embankment failures and road slippage in two places. As the saturated road base dried this summer, the slippage slowed, allowing geotechnical experts to investigate. Those tests determined that multiple factors contributed to the slide, including a huge amount of rain soaking into already saturated soil and poor soil conditions.
The repairs will entail digging down 15 feet below the base of the slope to original soil and rebuilding the failed section of roadway. In addition, an extensive underground drainage system will be installed both under and above the roadway. Improvements will also be made to areas adjacent to the slide areas to help ensure there are no future failures.
Motorists are reminded that the speed limit through the slide areas will remain 25 mph until repairs are complete. Motorists are urged to use extra caution when driving on this damaged section of Foresthill Road, due to the lane rerouting and the presence of construction crews.