San Luis Obispo still recovering from storm impacts

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. - The City of San Luis Obispo is still recovering from the 2023 winter and spring storm event that filled reservoirs and creeks causing flooding and damage to private and public property. 

While about 90% of the damage to public areas has been repaired, there are still 14 major projects underway that are needed to return SLO to pre-storm conditions and protect roadways, bridges, homes and businesses in future storms.

General information on each of these projects can be found at www.slocity.org/stormprojects, and below are important project updates. 

For each of the following projects, work will occur between the hours of 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. and cause intermittent traffic delays, noise and dust unless otherwise noted.

One project will restore the capacity of the Marsh Street Bridge (near Highway 101 entrance and exit) to convey creek flow from one side of the bridge upstream to the downstream side of the bridge. 

Another project will reduce flooding risk by removing accumulated debris deposited by last winter’s storm.  

This month-long project is currently under construction and is about a third of the way complete. 

Last week’s work included diverting the creek and debris removal.  

This work will continue over the next week and will also include the addition of large rocks along the banks to protect them from erosion.

Another project will restore the capacity of portions of Prefumo Creek (near Los Osos Valley Road) and reduce flooding risk by removing accumulated debris deposited by last winter’s storm.  

The first phase of that project begins this week and construction crews will begin by installing dewatering wells to remove shallow groundwater in order to access and remove accumulated debris.  

Large trucks will be used to haul off the debris, but no trucking will occur between the hours of 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM and again between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM in order to limit impacts to student drop-off and pick-up times at Laguna Middle School.

Work is continuing along San Luis Drive near SLO High School to repair the eroded creek banks and ensure the safety of that neighborhood. Scaffolding and rebar will be added to the bank walk this week, which will be sprayed with concrete next week to create a solid structural wall.

Work continues along the creek near the intersection of Pismo and Johnson avenues to repair the eroded creek bank and protect adjacent properties. 

Final drilling to stabilize the soil will take place this week and will begin scaffolding and placing rebar as well. 

Crews will spray concrete the following week to create a solid structural wall to stabilize the creek bank.

The project designs have been approved and work will be going out to bid to repair the storm-damaged grade structure and protect the sewer line in this location. 

This work will likely occur in late October or early November.

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