Serrano Creek Pipeline Realignment
Irvine Ranch Water District contractors will be doing construction work along Elderwood, Almondwood, Peachwood and into the Trabuco Road intersection to relocate a section of water pipeline currently within the Serrano Creek waterway. The new pipeline will be laid along the area marked in red in the map above, with the existing pipeline marked in blue.
Construction crews will work with Elderwood and Almondwood residents to provide driveway access as needed, and traffic controls will ensure that one lane is open in all directions at all times on Peachwood and Trabuco.
WHAT: Water pipeline realignment project
WHEN: mid-March to early July 2024
WORK HOURS: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday
PARKING: Weekends, holidays and trash days are excluded from posted no-parking restrictions.
INFO: Email info@IRWD.com or call 949-453-5336
QUESTIONS:
Q: What is the purpose of the project?
A: To relocate an existing pipeline out of the creek bed to eliminate the risk of pipeline failures due to erosion.
Q: Why is the pipeline being routed through a residential street?
A: Southern California Edison’s Right of Way Constraints and Guidelines prohibit construction of a pipeline on their easement along the creek trail.
Q: How long is construction expected to take place on Almondwood?
A: Roadwork on Almondwood is not expected to exceed 10 working days.
Q: Will residents have access to their driveways?
A: Yes. Steel plates will be available to provide vehicle access upon request.
Q: How much of the roadway will be taken up by construction?
A: There will always be space available for traffic to get around the construction area, which will not extend beyond the length of two or three homes. This will provide enough space for mail and package delivery.
Q: Will construction affect trash service on the cul-de-sac?
A: No. Construction will not take place on the cul-de-sac on trash days.
Q: Will landscaping and pavement be restored at the end of the project?
A: Yes. IRWD will slurry seal the entire cul-de-sac, including the portion of Elderwood up to Sprucewood. All landscape will be restored with similar, but new plant material.
Week of July 22: Striping on Peachwood will take place July 25-26, to be followed by the installation of traffic controls July 29.
Week of July 15: Work areas will be slurry-sealed on Thursday, July 18.
Week of July 8: Work will return to the Almondwood/Elderwood cul-de-sac on Monday to remove existing curb and gutter, and to pour concrete for those areas on Tuesday.
Week of July 1: Work will take place to abandon the old pipeline, and crews will begin work to demobilize from the creek area.
Week of June 24: Tie-in work will be completed early in the week, and crews will be returning to the Almondwood/Elderwood cul-de-sac on Friday to do curb-and-gutter work. Road restoration will take place in mid-July.
Week of June 17: A Southern California Edison project taking place last week in the Trabuco/Peachwood intersection delayed access to the new pipeline for testing. Those tests are scheduled to take place early this week, to be followed by tie-ins at the intersection and creek. Following that work, crews will be returning to the cul-de-sac to remove and replace sidewalk, curb and gutter, and to grind and cap the trench areas. Slurry sealing of the cul-de-sac will be scheduled once that work is completed.
Week of June 10: All pipeline installation is expected to wrap up by the middle of this week, to be followed by pipeline testing and tie-ins.
Week of June 3: Pipeline installation will wrap up on Elderwood this week and commence in the greenbelt area, moving on to to the creek trail the following week to connect the new pipe to existing pipeline. Note: The greenbelt area and a portion of the trail will be closed to public access during construction in those areas.
Week of May 27: Pipeline installation will continue on Elderwood this week, finishing up beyond the sidewalk at the greenbelt area. Next week's work will take place in the greenbelt area, moving on to to the creek trail the following week to connect the new pipe to existing pipeline. Note: The greenbelt area and trail will be closed to public access during construction in those areas.
Week of May 20: Utility service lines within the Almondwood/Elderwood cul-de-sac have slowed construction and required repair of a water line on Tuesday. With no work taking place on trash day and the Memorial Day holiday, construction within the cul-de-sac is expected to continue into the end of next week.
Week of May 13: Work is expected to begin on Almondwood on Monday, at the very earliest. That will happen after work is completed within the landscaped slope between Peachwood and the cul-de-sac. No roadwork will take place in the cul-de-sac on Wednesdays.
Week of May 6: Pipeline installation along Almondwood/Elderwood has been delayed and won't start until Monday of next week at the earliest, beginning at the end of the cul-de-sac and moving east toward Elderwood.
Week of April 29: Pipeline installation will continue on Peachwood and turn right into the landscaped area approaching Almondwood/Elderwood. Pipeline installation along Almondwood/Elderwood is expected to begin next week, starting Monday, May 6, at the end of the cul-de-sac and moving east toward Elderwood.
Week of April 22: Pipeline installation will be wrapped up in the intersection and continue on Peachwood later in the week. Pipeline installation along Almondwood/Elderwood is expected to begin toward the end of next week.
Week of April 15: Excavation work and pipeline installation will take place in the intersection of Trabuco and Peachwood this week, moving up Peachwood early next week. Pipeline installation is expected to begin late next week along Almondwood, including fortification of the wall at the end of the cul-de-sac. Notices will be delivered next week to affected Almondwood/Elderwood residents with a more specific timeline, once a specific start date for the pipeline work on that street has been determined.
Week of April 8: Sawcutting will occur in all work areas to prepare for pipeline installation. This includes work on Almondwood/Elderwood on Monday and Tuesday. Pipeline installation will begin at the intersection of Serrano and Peachwood. Pipeline installation on Almondwood/Elderwood is expected to happen in late April.
Week of April 1: Potholing for utilities was completed along Almondwood and Elderwood this week. Pipeline installation will begin once potholing is completed and saw cuts are made, moving north on Peachwood. Pipeline installation will start at the intersection of Trabuco Road and Peachwood and move north to Almondwood. Pipeline construction on Almondwood/Elderwood is expected to happen in late April.
Week of March 25: Construction for the project began this week, starting with potholing to identify utilities on Serrano and Peachwood. Potholing on Almondwood and Elderwood is expected to occur on Monday and Tuesday, April 1 and 2. Notices will be delivered mid-week to Almondwood/Elderwood residents to confirm the dates for the work.
Week of March 18: Potholing for utilities was delayed due to unexpected scheduling conflicts for equipment storage. Mobilization is expected to begin next week, starting with potholing on Serrano and Peachwood. Potholing on Almondwood and Elderwood is expected to occur the following week.
Week of March 11: Potholing for utilities will begin this week at the Almondwood/Elderwood cul-de-sac, followed by Peachwood and Trabuco Road. Pipeline installation will begin at the Trabuco Road/Peachwood intersection soon and continue north along Peachwood next week, crossing over to Almondwood in April.
