Sheridan water and roadway project named project of the year

Published on August 13, 2015

A water and roadway improvement project in the western Placer County community of Sheridan was given the Project of the Year award by the American Public Works Association’s Sacramento chapter.

The Sheridan project won in the association’s environment (water) category.

Even before earning the accolades, the project, which was completed last year, provided significant improvements for the town’s 600-plus residents. The water supply portion of the project increased a deficient water supply, allowing adequate water for fire suppression efforts. It also allowed the Placer County Board of Supervisors to lift a nearly 30-year building moratorium.

“We are so proud of how the community and the county worked together through many challenges of this project,” said Placer County Supervisor Robert Weygandt, whose district includes Sheridan. “It is exciting to have improved, beautiful streets and the ability to grow after so many years.”

Funding a $3.75 million dollar project in a small community was challenging. However, the county was able to obtain two-thirds of the project’s funding through grants and developer fees, including $1.2 million in grants from federal agencies and $1.3 million from development and traffic impact fees.

Roadway upgrades included 1,600 feet of improvements on Riosa Road with subsurface drainage improvements, curb, gutter, and sidewalk installation and landscaping. Prior to these improvements, children walking to Sheridan Elementary School had to use the roadway or shoulders.

The previous water supply was capped at 184 connections. Additionally, the system did not provide fire flow capacity to the school. To bring the system into compliance and allow for growth, the county installed a new water supply well, pump station, 180,000-gallon storage tank, and 1,500 feet of water line to the school.

An important part of the project was not only providing area residents with regular updates, but ensuring project elements were acceptable and beneficial to the community. County staff provided regular updates at community meetings and received public feedback. Trees were planted near the tank and now line both sides of Riosa Road beautifying the community.

The Sacramento chapter’s awards program recognizes public works projects demonstrating excellence in management, administration, design, construction and community relations, as well as the alliance among the managing agency and the consultant, engineer and contractor who worked together to complete the project.

The association presented the award to county public works staff Aug. 7 in Sacramento.