Project Status Update - March 25, 2024

This  project $14M project is 95% complete, including installation of the new 30-inch sewer main, siphon under Pinole Creek, and boring under the Union Pacific Railroad Tracks.  However, a fully protected species of raptor nested on-site earlier this month, bringing all construction to a stop and the project could be delayed up to 75 days until the fledglings leave the nest.  

Project Status Update - December 19, 2023

The contractor is currently installing the new sewer main along the segment between the Water Treatment Plant and the bottom of Camden Avenue.  They have completed the boring under Pinole Creek and UP Railroad.  The project is approximately 80% complete and tentatively scheduled for completion by the end of March.

Project Status Update – October 3, 2023

The project is proceeding on schedule and within budget.  Currently there are 3 crews on-site installing the new sewer line at three separate locations: the tunneling operation on Tennant Avenue under Pinole Creek, the Bay Trail between Santa Fe and Tennant Avenue, and the trail between Duck Pond Park and Camden Avenue.   The tentative completion date is March, 2024.

Project Status Update - June 20, 2023

Please be advised 22 trees have identified for removal on this project.  The trenching for the new sewer pipe, which is quite large given the need to convey the entire City’s sewage to the treatment plant, will irreparably damage the roots and if the trees are left in place they will likely die and become hazardous.  The trees species are 10 eucalyptus, 5 oak, 1 willow, 4 acacia, and 2 cypress.  The native oak trees are relatively small and will be replaced.  Many of the eucalyptus are hazardous and are leaning over the trail, so their removal is needed for safety reasons regardless.  Several of the trees to be removed are either dying or have been heavily damaged by pruning performed by others.  Once the pipeline has been installed, staff will assess the project and have drought tolerant, native species planted as needed for aesthetic reasons.

Project Status Update – May 24, 2023

Potholing to identify potential conflicts with the new sewer trunk main is nearing completion. The contractor is installing a temporary bypass parallel to the Bay Trail from Santa Fe Avenue over Pinole Creek to allow the new pipe to be installed along the same alignment of the existing pipe that's located in the Bay Trail. 

Project Status Update – March 1, 2023

This project was awarded to the low bidder, Cratus Inc., for $11.6M in December and the ground breaking is anticipated to occur mid-March.  Construction is anticipated to take approximately 1 year.  Completing this project will be a major enhancement to the sewer collection system.

Project Status Update – November 30, 2022

The project is out to bid with tentative Council award date of December 13, 2022.  Construction is anticipated to take approximately 1 year.  Efforts are underway to secure easements for the new sewer pipe at the end of Camden Lane to move the alignment to the center of the street, further away from the adjacent homes.

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The City is undergoing an ambitious project to upgrade its sewer conveyance system from Duck Pond Park on Sycamore Avenue (opposite the Corporation Yard) to the Pinole-Hercules Water Pollution Control Plant (WPCP) located at the north end of Tennant Avenue in Pinole. The existing system consists of a 24-inch pipe that was installed in 1972 that has served its full service life. Furthermore, additional capacity is needed to convey effluent from new and future development. 

The project will consist of replacing 5,200-linear feet (LF) of 24‐inch asbestos cement pipe and 200-LF of 24‐inch welded steel pipe with approximately 5,500-linear feet of new 27- to 36-inch diameter pipelines.

 Project Map (proposed sewer re-alignment shown in red)

The City Council authorized the project to proceed with the adoption of the FY 19/20 Budget, and on January 8, 2019, awarded the design contract.  The project is estimated to cost $12.6M and is funded through the Sewer Fund.
Sewer Main Replacement Council Report 01-08-19

Environmental Impacts: On September 1, 2020, the City publicly released a draft Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) for the project. Potentially significant environmental effects addressed in the IS/MND included, but were not limited to, aesthetics, agricultural resources, air quality, biological resources, cultural resources, hydrology/water quality, and traffic and transportation, among others. All of the potentially significant environmental impacts were found to be avoided or result in less than significant impacts with the incorporation of mitigation measures.

• Draft Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (19.5 MB PDF)
  (Copies are also available for review at City Hall and the Hercules Library)

Public Review Period:  The public draft IS/MND is available for a 30-day review period, starting from September 1 through October 1, 2020. Reviewers should focus on the content and accuracy of the Draft IS/MND in discussing potential impacts upon the environment and the mitigation measures. Persons responding are urged to submit their comments in writing. Written comments need to be delivered no later than 5 p.m. on October 1, 2020 to:

Mike Roberts, Public Works Director/City Engineer
111 Civic Dr., Hercules, CA 94547
Email: MikeRoberts@ci.hercules.ca.us
Phone: (510) 799-8241