After little more than 1-inch of rain, this $42 million or more brand-new roadway and underpass is now flooded and blocked.
During the December storms, the roadway was flooded and blocked for weeks (see picture). The same "FLOODED" sign is out there again today (See picture No. 2).
Large ponds of water in the roadway are surely not safe for motorists.
For $42 million, why did the residents of Irvine get a new roadway that floods in every rainfall? There appears to be a large flood drain at the bottom of the underpass, but it's not working. A pond is standing there. Was there any pumping system installed to prevent flooding? If there was, it certainly is not working. Did the contractor SEMA have in its contract any requirement that the roadway NOT flood? In other words, was there a performance specification of any kind?
The residents of the City and the 35,000 motorists who use the underpass daily are entitled to answers.
Joyce Amerson, the No. 2 manager at the City's Public Works Department, sent the following message:
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Thank You Mr. Clark
We are aware of the condition and the contractor is taking appropriate action.
Regards,
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David Parker, the President of The Meadows Mobilehome Owners Association, sent the following message in response:
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Dave Clark;
There is a 2" lip between the asphalt and concrete curb apron that will be gone when the final asphalt layer is installed as soon as weather and other construction details are completed. This grade difference causes a small pond in the right hand lane which is then closed off as a safety measure. I have witnessed this ponding and overflow into the drain which is then pumped out by the equipment on the other side of Jeffrey (at the R/R tracks). The drainage system worked pretty well during the major rains of December. I have never seen the underpass completely closed due to "flooding" or "ponding" or whatever. I think the project-overall- is pretty spectacular. And I'm happy that it is nearly complete. I just wish the bureaucrats would shut the damn train horns off!! My wife called a federal transportation department person last week; who called her back with an assurance that the horns would stop this - past(?) - week. As you can hear they are still blaring and the traffic control arms are going up and down and lights are flashing to warn nobody what-so-ever. Now, that, is an indicator of how out of control things have gotten.
Dave Parker
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