Politics & Government
Public Works Reports 63 Percent of Lewelling Construction Complete
Residents showed concern over the businesses, driveways, signage and a construction zone speed limit during the updated presentation Tuesday night.
Widening and leveling out driveways, construction zone speed limits and suffering businesses were the main issues brought up by residents during Tuesday night's Unincorporated Services Committee meeting.
Public Works Deputy Director Stanley Fung reported that 63 percent of the construction project is complete, .
He added the pavement, curb, gutter and sidewalks being installed from Usher Street to the Union Pacific Railroad, and also to Meekland Avenue, are slated for completion in November.
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"We're on target with our completion date," he said, which is still scheduled for summer 2012.
However, few residents seemed pleased with the recent speed-up of the construction work, even after the delays in March due to .
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Resident Doris Marciel said the driveways have been difficult to drive into and requested they get widened. She also expressed concern over the lack of signage indicating a safe construction zone speed limit.
After county officials floated a 30 mile per hour maximum, they said that number could go up. Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley chimed in, saying the county will "definitely come up with an appropriate speed limit," but he did not mention any number.
County officials have previously stated that making a maximum too low would be difficult to enforce.
Sgt. Bret Scheuller of the Alameda County Sheriff's Office added citations could be issued if "the speed is considered unsafe in the current condition."
Residents asked about the of . Marcial said she had spoke with several Lewelling business owners who said they have been hit hard financially from the construction on Lewelling.
"They don't talk to me and I have a lot of things I'm working on," responded Miley.
He said , whereas the business owners Marciel spoke of have not reached out to him with any complaints. He said it is up to those merchants to take action, like the ones from Castro Valley, if they are financially suffering.
"You snooze, you lose," he said. "Tell them to call my office."
John Wyrabkiewicz, owner of , said he can't complain about Public Works and the contractors because they have communicated well and tried to be accommodating throughout the project improvements.
Wyrabkiewicz said that for him, the end result of the boulevard will be worth the wait.
"It has become an inconvenience to our families and ourselves but that's the price you pay for progress," he said. "Why get upset over something we have no control over."
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