Calaveras Road Reopens January 3, 2019

We are pleased to inform you that Calaveras Road between Geary Road and Felter Road will reopen to all traffic, weekdays, weekends, and holidays starting Thursday, January 3, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. 

Please note construction trucks and large vehicles will still be using the road, so please drive and ride with caution.

Background:

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC), owner and operator of the Hetch Hetchy Regional Water System, is completing construction of a new dam to replace the former 93-year-old Dam at Calaveras Reservoir in the Sunol Valley.

Restoring Calaveras Reservoir is one of the most important projects of the $4.8 billion Water System Improvement Program. Calaveras Reservoir is the Hetch Hetchy Regional Water System’s largest Bay Area reservoir when it is full. Restoring its historic levels is crucial for water supply to 2.7 million people in the Bay Area in times of drought and emergencies. Construction on the earth and rock fill dam began in 2011.  Construction is scheduled to be complete in spring 2019.

Contacts:

Email onunez@sfwater.org or blauppe@sfwater.org

For more information, visit sfwater.org/calaverasroad

We thank you for your patience!

Calaveras Road Closure Extended through November 2, 2018

The Closure of Calaveras Road to through traffic between Milpitas and Sunol has been extended from September 30, 2018 to Friday, November 2, 2018.

The road will reopen to all traffic, weekdays, weekends, and holidays starting Saturday, November 3, 2018.

Why:

The SFPUC has been working with the appropriate county agencies to secure final approval for renewed public access to the road after a portion of the road was built by the SFPUC to replace a portion undermined by a landslide.

Background:

We have been working since 2011 to replace the 93 year-old Calaveras Dam to increase the reliability of the Hetch Hetchy Regional Water System, which serves 2.7 million people in four Bay Area counties.

The closure of Calaveras Road began in July 2016 to protect public safety on the extremely narrow portions of Calaveras Road while large trucks utilized the road for construction.  

Road Closure Details:

Where: Calaveras Road just south of Geary Road (entrance to Sunol Regional Wilderness) to Oakridge Road near the Alameda /Santa Clara County line.

When: July, 2016 through November 2, 2018. The Road will be open on weekdays, weekends, and holidays starting Saturday, November 3, 2018.

For more information, visit sfwater.org/calaverasroad

Thank you for your continued patience. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Photo Friday: Bobcats on Calaveras Road

Here is a recent photo taken by our Watershed Keeper Pat in Sunol Valley. It was a reminder about the amazing wildlife out here in the Alameda Creek watershed and to keep a look out for them on the roads.

Just a reminder that due to storm damage, Calaveras Road remains CLOSED to all types of thru traffic 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, between Geary Road and Oakridge Road near the Alameda/Santa Clara County line.

Under normal conditions and the construction schedule, Calaveras Road would be open to thru traffic on weekends and holidays. However, at this time the road will remain closed every day to all traffic until further notice.

The entrance to East Bay Regional Park District's Sunol Regional Wilderness will be open at all times from the north.

Visit www.sfwater.org/calaverasroad for more details and for a map of the closure.

ALERT: FULL CLOSURE OF CALAVERAS ROAD DUE TO STORM DAMAGE

FULL CLOSURE OF CALAVERAS ROAD DUE TO STORM DAMAGE

EFFECTIVE THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2017

CLOSURE IN EFFECT 7 DAYS A WEEK, 24 HOURS A DAY 

What:

Effective January 12, 2017, a full closure of Calaveras Road to all types of thru traffic 7 days a week, 24 hours a day between Geary Road and Oakridge Road – near the Alameda/Santa Clara County line. 
This is due to storm damage along this stretch of road. Under normal conditions and the construction schedule, Calaveras Road would be open to thru traffic on weekends and holidays. However, this is no longer the case, and the road will remain closed every day to all traffic until further notice. 

Please avoid this area and use alternative routes.

Where:

The portion of Calaveras Road just south of Geary Road (location of entrance to Sunol Regional Wilderness) to Oakridge Road – near the Alameda/Santa Clara County line.

When:

The closure will take place 7 days a week starting on January 12, 2017 and will remain in place until further notice. We are working with local responding agencies on this issue, and will keep you informed as we get additional information.

Please note: the entrance to East Bay Regional Park District’s Sunol Regional Wilderness will be open at all times from the north.

If you have any further questions, feel free to call our toll-free 24 hour answer line at
(866) 973-1476.

Email mle@sfwater.org or blauppe@sfwater.org

Holiday Construction Schedule and Calaveras Road Closure for Sunol Valley

Happy Holidays, Sunol Valley!

Here’s a schedule of where we’ll be working over the holiday season.

Calaveras Road Closure Holiday Schedule:

The portion of Calaveras Road Currently Closed to the public on weekdays will be:

• Thursday, December 22, 2016 at 8:00 PM through Monday, December 26, 2016   OPEN to the public 
• Tuesday, December 27, 2016 at 4:00 a.m. through  Friday, December 30, 2016:  CLOSED
• Saturday, December 31, 2016 at 5:00 AM through Monday, January 2, 2017: OPEN to the public
• Tuesday, January 3, 2017 at 4:00 a.m. – Friday, January 6, 2017: CLOSED

Prior to the road opening to the public, the road will be swept of debris.

Weekday closures will continue as planned Monday- Friday through December 31, 2017

Fish Passage Facilities Project within the Alameda Creek
Located in Sunol Regional Wilderness:

The project team will NOT be working:

December 24, 2016  to December 26, 2016

December 31, 2016 to January 2, 2017

As always please don’t hesitate to contact us at 866-973-1476, or mle@sfwater.org or blauppe@sfwater.org with any questions.

Sunol Valley Updates: Calaveras Road Closure and Construction Updates

Here are some important updates that may affect you:

Calaveras Road Closure Starts July 5th

To those who drive or ride Calaveras Road between Milpitas and Highway I-680 through the Sunol Valley: Please take note that Calaveras Road will be closed between Geary Road (just south of the entrance to Sunol Regional Wilderness) to Oakridge Road (near the Santa Clara / Alameda County line) starting July 5, 2016 for 18 months for safety reasons. The closure is weekdays only. 

Why Close the Road?

Although the majority of the materials for the new dam will come from on-site, approximately 300,000 cubic yards of sands and gravels and 150,000 cubic yards of hard rock will need to be imported to the site for construction of the dam. These materials will be imported in large hauling trucks on Calaveras Road. At its peak, truck traffic could amount to an average of one haul truck every five minutes on Calaveras Road during heavy hauling activities. It is not safe for this many large trucks to share the narrow portions of Calaveras Road with cyclists and private vehicles. 

Road Closure Details

• Where: Calaveras Road just south of Geary Road (entrance to Sunol Regional Wilderness) to Oakridge Road – near the Alameda / Santa Clara County line.
• When: weekdays ONLY
• The road will be swept of debris before opening at 6 a.m. on Saturday mornings
• The road will be closed every Sunday evening at 11:00 p.m.
• Gates: Two gates will close Calaveras Road just south of Geary Road and at Oakridge Road
• Emergency First Responders will have access through the closure at all times
• The entrance to East Bay Regional Park District’s Sunol Regional Wilderness will be open at all times from the north
• The road will be OPEN on weekends, for specific cycling races and for major holidays.

To learn more about the Calaveras Road Closure, please visit sfwater.org/calaverasroad for more details

Construction Activity to begin in the South end of the Calaveras Reservoir

What

Staring July 5, 2016 thru Mid 2018, increased construction activity will begin in the southern end of Calaveras Reservoir which the project refers to as Borrow Area E. In order to construct the replacement dam, we will need to gather clay materials from Borrow Area E.

What to expect

• Construction vehicles and earth moving machinery working at the southern edge of the reservoir on SFPUC property.
• Typical work hours are from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm
• You may hear back up alarms and some noise from the equipment
• Traffic: the trucks will stay off public roads for construction work. They will utilize specially-constructed roads within SFPUC property instead
• The project will not use Marsh or Felter Roads to access the construction areas or to haul materials. 

No Construction Work on the 4^th of July
Our construction crews in Sunol Valley will not be working.
We hope everyone has a safe and wonderful Independence Day. 

Sunol Valley Teams Celebrate Memorial Day

In observance of Memorial day, our construction teams will not be working on May 30^th at the Calaveras Dam Replacement Project or the Fish Passage Facilities within the Alameda Creek Watershed Project in Sunol Valley.

We hope all of you have a safe and wonderful Memorial Day weekend.

Schedule Update for Calaveras Road Closure

To those who drive or ride Calaveras Road between Milpitas and Highway I-680 through the Sunol Valley:

The SFPUC has postponed the start of the closure of Calaveras Road, which was originally planned to begin on June 1, 2016. We will continue to keep you up-to-date on the timing and status of the closure. Calaveras Road is currently open to the public.

It is important to note that there is still truck traffic on Calaveras Road now between I-680 and the entrance to Calaveras Dam. The speed limit is 25 mph on Calaveras Road in construction zones. Please ride and drive safely on the narrow portions of Calaveras Road.

Follow the Calaveras Road closure updates online at sfwater.org/calaverasroad
To receive email notifications, please email mle@sfwater.org

Calaveras Road Traffic Advisory - Increased Haul Truck Traffic Starting April 4th

Please expect increased truck traffic on Calaveras Road beginning April 4, 2016 through April 29, 2016 during daytime hours. The project will haul materials from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm. Night hauling also continues through June 1st which begins approximately from 6:00 pm to 4:00 am, Monday through Friday.

This affects the portion of Calaveras Road between the I-680 entrance in Sunol to the entrance of the construction site for the Calaveras Dam Replacement Project located south of Geary Road. Commuters may experience periodic delays. Cyclists: please try to avoid this area if at all possible to remain safe.

 

• Calaveras Road remains open to the public
• Increase in haul trucks expected between the hours of 6:00 a.m to 4:00 a.m Monday thru Friday
• Please drive and ride safely on the narrow portions of Calaveras Road and expect delays
• Speed limit is 25mph in construction zones

 

March 2016 Aerial of Calaveras Dam Replacement Project 

24 hour- Answer Line: 866-973-1476
mle@sfwater.org or blauppe@sfwater.org

Calaveras Road Traffic Advisory: Haul Trucks at Night starting February 8, 2016 thru June 1, 2016

Large haul trucks will begin to transport materials on Calaveras Road 

in the evening hours starting as early as 7:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. 

starting February 8th thru June 1st. Hauling will be Monday  through Friday. 

The trucks will travel on Calaveras Road between I-680 and to the 

entrance of the construction site for the Calaveras Dam Replacement 

Project south of Geary Road. Commuters may experience periodic delays. 

Cyclists: please try to avoid this area during these hours if at all 

possible to remain safe.

• Calaveras Road remains open to the public
• Large haul trucks expected between 7:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. Monday thru Friday only.
• Please drive and ride safely on the narrow portions of Calaveras Road and expect delays
• Speed limit is 25 mph in construction zones.

Future Road Closure ­ Calaveras Road

The SFPUC will continue to work with Alameda and Santa Clara county staff to temporarily close Calaveras Road south of Geary Road to the project site for an 18 month period starting June 2016, weekdays only. The closure is necessary to protect the safety of the public on the road, while large trucks haul sands and gravels to the site.

Contact us:

Follow us online: sfwater.org/sunolvalley

24 hour- Answer Line: 866-973-1476

Join our Calaveras road notification list by emailing: 

mle@sfwater.org or blauppe@sfwater.org

1/11/16 Traffic Advisory: Calaveras Road

Large truck traffic will be heavier than usual on Monday, January 11, 2016 from the hours of 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., on Calaveras Road between I-680 and to the entrance of the construction site for the Calaveras Dam Replacement Project north of Geary Road. Commuters may experience periodic delays. Cyclists: please try to avoid this area during delivery hours if at all possible to remain safe.

· Calaveras Road remains open to the public

· Deliveries of wide structures are expected between 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

· Please drive and ride safely on the narrow portions of Calaveras Road and expect delays

· Speed limit is 25 mph in construction zones

Project Summary:

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC), owner and operator of the Hetch Hetchy Regional Water System, is building a new dam to replace the existing Calaveras Dam. The Calaveras Reservoir, impounded by Calaveras Dam, is our system’s largest drinking water reservoir in the local Bay Area. Upon completion of the project, the reservoir provides more than half of our Bay Area storage capacity for 2.6 million customers and is crucial in times of drought. Project completion is expected in late 2018.

Contact Information:
Join our road closure notification list by emailing mle@sfwater.org
24 hour- Answer Line
866-973-1476

Talkin' Turkey

There are turkeys crossing the road just about everywhere you look on Calaveras Road. 

These two make a nice pair as one watches while the other preens.  Turns out preening is just a fancy word for keeping your feathers clean and looking pretty.  Males find this comes in handy when they are showing off and courting a mate.

This got the Calaveras team talkin’ turkey and exchanging fun facts about this animal – just in time for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.

Here’s a few:

• Where did turkeys get their name?  They are not a native species and since they were imported by Turkish merchants, the English took to calling them turkeys.
• How can you tell a turkey’s gender?  Believe it or not the droppings give a great clue:  males produce spiral shaped poop and females poop resembles the letter J.
• Ben Franklin is famous for having had had a special place in his heart for turkeys.  An eagle, he wrote in a letter to his daughter, had "bad moral character." A turkey, on the other hand, was a "much more respectable bird."
• And finally, turkeys can run at speeds of up to 25 miles per hour.  Might come in handy if they don’t want to be part of the upcoming festive meal…

However you spend the upcoming holiday, we wish you and yours the very best!

We here feel we have a lot to be thankful for.

See you around the Valley!

Fall Back

The extra hour of sleep this last weekend for Daylight Savings was wonderful.

These fall days have ended in some spectacular sunsets in the Sunol area.

Here is one we captured over Sheridan Valley, courtesy of Nella Terra. 

Our crews are still working in the Valley and traveling along Calaveras Road, even in the dark early evenings. Please be careful out there.

See you around the Valley!