Drivers can expect detours on Paradise Road in west Modesto this summer. Here’s why
A major sewer project has blocked part of Paradise Road in west Modesto and will affect traffic closer to downtown this summer.
This busy commercial route runs southwest from Modesto High School at a diagonal to the mostly north-south street grid.
The current construction is between the campus and Sutter Avenue. It has reduced northeastbound traffic lanes from two to one and entirely closed both of the opposite lanes. Drivers can use various side streets.
The project also will involve H Street, which is a continuation of Paradise into downtown. Detours will be as far as Eighth Street. Updates are at www.modestogov.com/CivicAlerts.
Teichert Construction is doing the $4.67 million project, funded by sewer users. The work began in late May and is expected to run to late September.
It is part of an enlargement of mains serving the treatment plant at the south end of Sutter, said an email from Andrew Gonzales, public relations and legislative affairs manager for the city.
About 4,000 linear feet of 16-inch pipe will be replaced with 24-inch pipe. An additional 900 feet will be strengthened with new linings through a process that does not require excavation.
The portion of the project near Modesto High will be completed in July so it will not interfere with the August start of the school year, Gonzales said.
The southwest end of the project is a five-corner intersection with a Maxx Value grocery store and several other businesses.
The project overlaps with another that aims to make Paradise easier for people on foot and bicycles. It will permanently narrow the motor vehicle lanes from four to two between Modesto High and Sheridan Street.
The city in January got a $3.56 million grant for the project from the state’s Active Transportation Program. It also will feature painted bike lanes and more visible crosswalks on Paradise and several side streets.
Like the sewer project, this work will be timed so it does not interfere with Modesto High students, Gonzales said.
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