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EBMUD Associate Engineer/Project Manager Samuel Gambino and Manager of Engineering Services Elizabeth Bialek gave a game plan presentation during the April 14 town council meeting.
Using stitch piers that will penetrate through the slide plane and function as dowels between the sliding mass and underlying stable ground, a retaining wall system will be installed that will stabilize the hillside.
The construction will take place over two seasons. EBMUD's Season 1 will overlap with Canyon Road Bridge Phase II, with the installation of the lower and upper ends of the project near the bridge. Season 2 will continue the installation of the remaining portions of the lower and upper walls.
Trees in the area will need to be removed and eventually replaced under the watchful eye of a biological inspector who will be on site monitoring potential disruption of nesting birds. Other environmental considerations will include the protection of riparian species such as raptors, whipsnakes, pond turtles, red-legged frogs, and tiger salamanders. To that end, an exclusion fence will be built around the perimeter of the site with a one-way porthole so that animals can leave the area but not return until the project is done.
In order to protect the creek, drainage from the site will minimize erosion of stockpiles and adjacent native soil. There will also be temporary measures to prevent discharge of contaminated stormwater during construction, which may contain soil, sediment and concrete residue.
The contractor will be required to control noise and vibration levels during construction by muffling equipment, selecting quieter equipment or erecting noise barriers. Vibration will be monitored so as not to exceed threshold levels.
Season 1 is expected to begin this summer and end in the fall. Work hours will be Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information visit: www.ebmud.com/moragacreek.
Reach the reporter at:
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA