A $5.98 million federal grant will allow San Diego to move forward on a major storm drain repair project, it was announced Friday.
The project will consist of repair and replacement of the Maple Canyon storm drain, which serves the Uptown community. The improvements are intended to reduce the potential for flooding and erosion due to heavy rainfall.
“Improving our infrastructure is important for all San Diegans, and making sure our stormwater system functions at the highest level possible is a priority for my administration,” said Mayor Todd Gloria. “This grant is an example of the kind of federal-local partnership that will make San Diego neighborhoods more resilient for years to come.”
The project will repair and modify existing storm drains extending from the street into Maple Canyon where runoff flows are diverted to well- defined low points and continue southwest before reentering the city’s storm drain system and exiting into San Diego Bay.
Additionally, the project will restore and rehabilitate the entire streambed, stabilize the banks and plant sustainable vegetation within the project footprint.
Old corrugated metal storm drain pipes will be replaced by reinforced concrete pipes and extended, in most cases, to the low points within the canyon. Approximately 4,000 linear feet of pipeline are planned for installation.
The grant was awarded by the U.S. Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration and will fund half the project with the city financing the remainder. San Diego expects work to start by late 2022 after the project design, environmental permitting and construction bidding processes have been completed.
— City News Service
