Merced - The G Street Underpass project work ramps up starting Monday. Crews will be doing all the prep work needed to create the undercrossing at the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe tracks. The $18 million City of Merced and Merced Redevelopment Agency project will take 18 months to complete.

The first work on the road will begin Friday, July 16, following a 10 a.m. groundbreaking ceremony near the intersection of G St. and W. 24^th St. Mayor Bill Spriggs will be using a backhoe to scoop out the first chunks of dirt to begin the project. Armed with shovels, the City Council and other officials will also turn some earth.

A rolling lane closure on G Street will begin Monday morning as crews install signage along G Street. The outside lanes will be closed to traffic intermittently throughout the day.

Tuesday all lanes on G Street between 23rd Street and 25^th Street will be closed to through traffic for the duration of the project. Drivers will need to find alternative routes across town.

Wednesday and Thursday Pacific Gas and Electric crews will be on the site moving electric power lines so they won’t interfere with construction efforts.

After Friday morning’s groundbreaking ceremony, and the prepping is done then the real road work starts. Ultimately, a four lane road under the tracks will connect Central and North Merced residents without having to stop for train traffic.

The railroad crews begin their work to drive pilings for the train bridge on Monday, July 19. They will be installing a prefabricated bridge with a minimal impact on passing trains and plan to have it completed by October.

The City awarded the $5,059,272.10 contract to Teichert Construction for the project. The City has encouraged Teichert to hire local employees and subcontractors whenever possible.

The project is funded by:

California Transportation Commission    $9 million

Merced Redevelopment Agency               $4.8 million

City Public Facility Financing                   $2.3 million

Burlington Northern & Santa Fe RR           $1.9 million

In addition, the City is spending another $2.4 million for improvements in the project area, including a $1.1 million water line replacement.

The road project has its roots in a tragedy occurring almost 80 years ago. It was at the intersection of G Street and the then Santa Fe railroad tracks that a school bus coming from Fremont School was struck by a train. Six students were killed and another 23 were injured. That tragedy on May 7, 1931, helped lead to the legislation that requires all occupied buses to stop at railroad crossings.

Traffic will be heavier throughout the City during the construction. Residents are asked to plan their routes ahead, leave early, consolidate their trips and talk to their employers about alternative work schedules that will avoid peak traffic times. Telecommuting, carpooling, riding The Bus, biking and walking is strongly encouraged.

The completed project will eliminate the delay motorists and trucks experience on our streets. The undercrossing will help improve air quality, save fuel and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  And the project will improve public safety by providing an unhindered route to the City’s one hospital for City residents.

Updates on the G Street project will be posted regularly on the City’s website, www.cityofmerced.org and also on Facebook @ The Streets of Merced.