“Can this concept be used in other areas?” specifically flood prone 12th Street, asked Councilwoman Laura Flores Espinosa.Wilkinson said 12th Street cannot be fixed with a bridge as the water runs down the street and not across same. Fixing the flooding problem would require a large, deep detention basin at the southwest corner of Santa Paula and 12th streets that would be discharged as needed.The project would probably cost about $1.5 million, he added, but the alternative - a huge storm drain running to the Santa Clara River - would be a multi-million dollar project.Funds for the Fagan Barranca project is “available and we have a need,” that will meet the federal guidelines, but the availability of federal funds for a 12th Street project is questionable, said Wilkinson.Later in the meeting, Espinosa said she did not see any funds for 12th Street repair under Capital Projects in the upcoming budget and suggested it be included.
Council conceptually approves barranca bridge, 12th St. flooding addressed
August 29, 2001
Santa Paula News
A discussion on conceptually approving a bridge over Fagan Barranca led to a councilwoman asking that a report be prepared on the costs to fix flooding on 12th Street.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesA discussion on conceptually approving a bridge over Fagan Barranca led to a councilwoman asking that a report be prepared on the costs to fix flooding on 12th Street.Acting City Manager Norm Wilkinson said at the Aug. 20 meeting that the city’s grant application to replace the culvert and low water crossing of Fagan Barranca at Santa Paula Street requires a resolution to create a bridge in order to receive the federal funds.“The city does not own any bridges, so this is the highest priority as we don’t have other bridges in town,” Wilkinson said of the proposed project.The culvert is about 10 feet wide and 10 feet high, he noted, and “what happens when we have a large storm the rest of the water flows over the tunnel and into the street and back into the channel.” In addition, silt, mud and floating debris is deposited in the street causing hazardous conditions for pedestrians and traffic.More tunnel could be built but removing the culvert and constructing the small bridge would be more effective, said Wilkinson.Federal funding would cover about 80 percent of the approximately $500,000 price tag, he added, including raising some portions of Santa Paula Street. Residents adjacent to the project would be able to eliminate flood insurance.
