Infrastructure Projects Continue in Apple Valley

As mentioned in the Victorville Daily Press, April 27, 2020, Apple Valley town officials have announced the continuation of several road and infrastructure projects. Town Engineer Brad Miller said that it’s “an ideal time to press forward” with the projects, which include the repair of medians and drainage channels along Highway 18 between Navajo and Central roads. Designed to heighten pedestrian awareness, the median and drainage improvement project on both sides of Highway 18 will separate the outer highway from the main highway, according to Miller. The project is expected to enhance the overall aesthetic of the area with reconstructed curb and gutters, stamped concrete, rockscape and repaired portions of the sidewalk and parkway drains, he said. In a public-private partnership, the project’s design was paid for by the Village Property and Business Improvement District Association, the town said. The cost of the project is just over $1 million, town spokeswoman Charlene Engeron told the Daily Press. The development of the Nico Plaza retail center will eliminate Outer Highway 18 between Tuscola and Kasota roads, and reroute traffic to Potomac Road, a newly constructed access road situated 400 feet south of the project, according to Miller. The Nico Plaza project will include new sidewalks where the outer highway was located. Elimination of the outer highway was a condition of development on the project, making the new Potomac Road essential, Miller said. An additional project is the resurfacing of 35 miles of road within the town, which includes portions of Flathead, Zuni, Pawnee, Standing Rock, Waalew, Wintun and Quinnault roads and South Outer Highway 18. Funding for the resurfacing project has been appropriated in the proposed Fiscal Year 2020-21 budget. The “Safe Routes to Schools” construction project at Rio Vista Elementary School, Mariana Academy, Sandia Academy and Apple Valley High School is also in the works. The City Council awarded Christen Brothers General Engineering a contract to construct bike and pedestrian improvements around all three schools. Funding for the nearly $2.9 million award will come from Active Transportation Program funds. The improvements include new sidewalks, curbs, gutters, ramps and high visibility crosswalks along Sandia and Manhasset roads.