As street repaving is under way on eastbound Valparaiso Avenue in Menlo Park, drivers can expect traffic delays and occasional road closures through the end of the month.
The repaving project is a joint effort between Menlo Park and Atherton, as the town boundaries run through the middle of the road. The Atherton (westbound) side of the road was repaved last year.
Duncan Jones, the Atherton public works director, said the Menlo Park side will likely be closed between University Drive and North Lemon Avenue on Sept. 17 and 18 as crews lay down the final layer of new pavement. He said crews are expected to be done by the end of the month — about a week ahead of schedule.
Drivers can also expect delays and brief closures until the end of the month to make way for heavy equipment, Mr. Jones said.
Water main replaced, traffic back to normal
Construction crews have finished replacing a leaky water main under University Drive in Menlo Park, meaning traffic is back to normal near the city’s downtown area.California Water Service Co. has installed 2,000 feet of new, larger water mains under University Drive from Santa Cruz to Middle avenues, adding six fire hydrants and connecting the new line to existing water lines, said Darin Duncan, a CalWater district manager.
The downtown area, especially the already congested intersection of University Drive and Menlo Avenue by Draeger’s market, has been difficult to navigate since CalWater crews starting digging up the street and redirecting traffic in May.
The new water main will double the water available for fighting fires, Mr. Duncan said.
CalWater serves about 73,800 people in Atherton, Woodside, Portola Valley, and a portion of Menlo Park.
Jury selection to start
in Morrow murder case
Jury selection in the trial of Joseph Eli Morrow, 59, accused of killing his wife Donna Morrow, 37, during an argument at their Menlo Park home Dec. 19, 1991, is set to begin Tuesday, Sept. 11, attorneys for both sides agreed last week. The trial has been delayed several times by defense attorney appeals.
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