Traffic-snarling Petaluma project nearly finished

A $1 million Petaluma sewer replacement project that caused daily traffic tie-ups on the East Washington Street entrance to downtown is nearing an end.

On Wednesday, the crew for North Bay Construction, for the last time, put out a line of orange cones to close off two of the three lanes available for westbound traffic.

Since mid-October, many westbound motorists have encountered a line of cars on East Washington, stretching from Petaluma Boulevard to Lakeville Street.

"Thank goodness. I know we needed a new sewer line, but sometimes the wait at the intersection was driving me crazy," said Martha Rodillo, a Petaluma resident who used the route several times a day on her way to grocery stores and to get her child to day care.

Tie-ups were worst during morning commute hours, but motorists coming off Highway 101 in late afternoon encountered problems as well.

Mike Ban, director of city Water Resources and Conservation, said the project involved replacing a seriously deteriorated sewer that runs from the Water Street intersection with East Washington Street to the city pump house about 1,000 feet to the north.

Another factor complicating the project was discovery of lead-based paint in the ground between buildings on Petaluma Boulevard and the river.

Ban said it's been slow going because the contractor has to cover the open trench every night and reopen it in the morning. "Traffic impacts are unavoidable," he said.

Westbound motorists on East Washington have been directed into a turn lane while the main lanes were used to create a safety zone around a manhole and trench.Staff writer Paul Payne contributed to this article. You can reach Staff Writer Bleys Rose at 521-5431 or bleys.rose@pressdemocrat.com.