Ygnacio Valley Road ready for winter
Updated 3-30-07
Additional information on the landslide is available from the City of Concord Engineering Department by calling
(925) 671-3361
- One lane of eastbound Ygnacio Valley Road, a major route for commuters between Walnut Creek, Concord and Clayton, has been closed since March 28, 2006. Heavy rains triggered a landslide on a hill several hundred feet east of Ygnacio Valley Road. The landslide caused the soil under Ygnacio Valley Road to shift and the roadway to buckle. City crews closed that segment of the eastbound lane to ensure the safety of the motorists. A temporary auxiliary lane was added in June to maintain traffic flow.
- Work has been completed to further stabilize the hillside. Dirt at the top of the slide has been removed and was used to construct a buttress adjacent to the roadway to temporarily stabilize the slide while design and other preparation for the permanent repair are completed. This temporary stabilization work cost approximately $1.3 million and was funded through the city’s request to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) as part of the Disaster Assistance Program administered by Caltrans.
- An additional $4 million in FHWA funds requested by the city is expected to pay for the permanent repair, which will reopen the number two lane and further stabilize the hillside to prevent future slides. The permanent repair is expected to be completed during the summer of 2007.
Paving of auxiliary eastbound lane on Ygnacio Valley Road
Background
- One lane of eastbound Ygnacio Valley Road, a major route for commuters between Walnut Creek, Concord and Clayton, has been closed since March 28, 2006.
Landslide area triggered by heavy rains
- Heavy rains triggered a landslide on a hillside some feet away from Ygnacio Valley Road. This landslide caused the soil under Ygnacio Valley Road to shift. The soil movement caused upheaval of the pavement along an 800 ft. section of the heavily traveled road. City crews closed that segment of the eastbound lane to ensure the safety of the motorists.
Upheaval of pavement caused by landslide
The City of Concord is seeking financial support from state and federal agencies to pay for the $5 million stabilization of the hillside and repair of the damaged lane. The City is developing the design of the long-term landslide repairs. The plan must still undergo a thorough design review and environmental clearance by Caltrans.
