Nimitz Highway to be dug up again
By Mike Leidemann
Advertiser Transportation Writer
Work is expected to begin next month on a yearlong, $14 million project to replace aging water main pipes on Nimitz Highway, less than two years after the road was torn up to put in new sewers.
State Transportation Department officials said last night that the work will be done at night to minimize traffic disruption. Area residents, worried about construction noise, questioned the timing of the project, which will stretch from Sumner to Queen Street.
"It's terrible planning," said Pat McCain, a member of the Downtown Neighborhood Board. "Why couldn't they coordinate this project with the city work that was done just a little while ago? It's like the city and state are two countries fighting a border war."
Other area residents told state and Board of Water Supply officials at a public information meeting at the state Capitol that construction noise will rob them of their sleep and sanity.
"It makes you crazy," said Margaret Sandoval, who lives in the Harbor Village complex fronting Nimitz Highway. "The last project went on month after month. Now they're coming back again at night. When are we supposed to sleep?"
State officials are seeking a noise variance so the work can be done from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. during the week and from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Sundays. There would be no work on Friday and Saturday nights.
There have been nine water main breaks in recent years along Nimitz Highway, which is used daily by 79,000 vehicles, officials said.
