San Joaquin County, CA – San Joaquin County Department of Public Works was recently honored with three Project of the Year awards from the Sacramento Chapter of the American Public Works Association (APWA). The projects included the Kennefick Road Flood Control Project, the Duncan Road and Comstock Road Roundabout, and Pershing Avenue Improvements.

The APWA Awards Program recognizes projects that exhibit outstanding management, administration, design, sustainability, construction, and community relations. Maintaining a strong association among the managing agency, designer, contractor, and construction management team who worked together to complete the project are also integral components of the evaluation.

“We are truly honored to receive these awards. Each of these projects is a testament to the coordination, dedication, and support of County staff, project partners, the Board of Supervisors and our residents,” said Public Works Director Fritz Buchman. “We would like to thank the APWA Sacramento Chapter for this esteemed recognition.”

Below are details for the award-winning projects:

Kennefick Road Flood Control Project
Following severe rainstorms in February 2017, Kennefick Road, located north of Liberty Road and southeast of Galt, California, experienced significant flooding that washed away approximately 100 feet of roadway. This event severed the sole access route for the local community north of Liberty Road. Emergency repairs were swiftly executed to restore basic access using temporary measures until a more permanent solution could be implemented. Upon securing federal funding, the County worked with local partners to develop a permanent solution capable of withstanding drainage flows comparable to those experienced in 2017, reducing the likelihood of future roadway washouts and disruptions in access. The project included bridge construction, roadway reconstruction, and safety and erosion control enhancements. Construction was completed expeditiously, with public access fully restored in three months.

Duncan Road and Comstock Road Roundabout
Prior to roundabout construction, several injury-related vehicle collisions were recorded at or near the Duncan Road and Comstock Road intersection in the community of Linden, east of Stockton, prompting action to reduce collision frequency and severity. The County worked closely with the agricultural community to ensure that the roundabout accommodated large trucks and farming equipment. The project, which replaced a partial stop-controlled intersection with a roundabout enhances safety for motorists, thereby providing better traffic operations and reducing the number of conflicting movements. This project offers a form of traffic calming by reducing speeds and with the additional lighting improves visibility for motorists entering the intersection. This federally-funded project is the first of its kind in San Joaquin County built in a mainly rural agricultural area.

Pershing Avenue Improvements
Pershing Avenue, located near the City of Stockton, serves nearly 18,000 vehicles per day. For years, the two-lane road in the unincorporated area experienced significant traffic congestion. San Joaquin County worked collaboratively with the City of Stockton to mitigate the existing congestion, accommodate future traffic demands, and provide complete streets improvements along a 3/4-mile segment of Pershing Avenue. The project included the widening of the roadway to include a two-way left turn lane, over 8,000 feet of sidewalks, and 3,500 feet of buffered bike lanes. In addition, enhanced storm drainage was installed to minimize localized standing water during storms. In response to concerns raised by the community, traffic calming elements, including real-time remote monitored radar speed feedback signs were installed throughout the corridor to reduce vehicle speeds, enhance safety and support enforcement activities.

To learn more about the San Joaquin County Department of Public Works visit their website.

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