Yerba Buena

Location of Project: Petaluma, CA

Construction Cost: $3,990,095

CONSTRUCTION: YBE executed the relocation of the mainline railroad track crossing the Petaluma River. The scope included retaining wall floodwall drains, water line, earth fills, track approach, relocating signals and warning devices for all grade crossings, curbs, gutters, and sidewalks.

This large flood control project was procured under the US Army Corps of Engineers. Major features of work include bridge removal and construction of the concrete reinforcing structure. YBE also designed and constructed the storm drain and water line system. All underground utilities were required to be redesigned due to elevation conflicts with the existing utilities. This project was completed on time with 15,000 accident-free labor hours.

YBE self-performed the demolition of existing structures, removal and disposal of hazardous soil, construction of underground utilities (water, sewer, and storm drainage), construction of cast-in-place concrete retaining walls, and all site grading, paving, and mass excavation. YBE also self-performed the design of the storm drain and water line system.

DESIGN: Hundreds of residential and commercial properties in downtown Petaluma have been damaged and disrupted by flooding of the Petaluma River.

In 1996, the City entered into an agreement with USACE to construct flood control improvements. USACE agreed to design and manage the main river channel improvements and left the City responsible for all other required construction. The City and USACE contracted with Winzler & Kelly to design and manage the construction of these project elements, which included:

• Vertical flood channel walls
• Replacement of two roadway bridges
• All utility crossings and modifications, which included water, sewer, storm drainage,
• gas, power, and telecommunications
• Fast-track design and construction for directional drilling of critical water and sewer lines
• Two new storm water pump stations
• Replacement of two railroad bridges
• A section of river channel improvements that create the Petaluma Riverwalk, a scenic
• recreational corridor adjacent to the river

In addition to design and construction management, Winzler & Kelly assisted the City and USACE with many critical aspects of the project including community outreach, right of way acquisition, environmental permitting, railroad trackage modification approvals and hazardous materials abatement

KEY ELEMENTS

• Floodway and flood wall design in an urban environment
• Street and railroad bridges