If there’s a fix needed in Santa Clarita’s infrastructure, it will most likely be handled by the City’s Public Works department.

The department includes Building & Safety, Capital Improvements/Parks & Trails Planning, Engineering Services, Traffic & Transportation Planning, and General Services.

The following are highlighting examples of Public Works projects completed in 2016.

1. Improved Traffic Flow by the SR 14 by Upgrading Golden Valley Road Bridge

The Golden Valley Road Bridge by the State Route 14, now known as the Connie Worden-Roberts Memorial Bridge (named in honor of a local advocate and Santa Clarita community leader), received tremendous updates to improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety. New updates included the addition of a travel lane in each direction; a dedicated left turn lane to access the southbound 14 Freeway; and two left turn lanes to access the northbound 14 Freeway. A new protected path on the south side of the bridge allows pedestrians and cyclists to safely cross both sides of the bridge.

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1. Transformed Medians on Valencia Boulevard

This project refurbished a total of 12 medians on Valencia Boulevard from Tourney Road to Magic Mountain Parkway. The improvements replaced turf with drought-tolerant plants and trees and installed more durable and efficient irrigation systems making provisions for recycled water when it becomes available. The project also benefited traffic circulation and pedestrian safety along Valencia Boulevard with improvements such as modifying the left-turn pocket at Magic Mountain Parkway to accommodate a dedicated right-turn lane.

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1. Made Streets Smooth with Road Rehab

The City’s Road Rehab program focuses on pavement preservation, making sure that our streets are smooth and well-maintained. This year’s project repaired more than 105 city streets and more than 38 lane miles of roadway. Repairs included resurfacing Soledad Canyon Road from Sierra Highway to the bridge west of Camp Plenty Road and renovated pedestrian ramps to be compliant with the current ADA requirements. Santa-clarita.com/resurfacing

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4 Enhanced Safety at the Newhall Avenue & Railroad Avenue Intersection

The intersection at Newhall Avenue and Railroad Avenue is now easier to cross, for both drivers and pedestrians. New traffic signals were installed to improve the visibility of the traffic light. New medians were also placed along the streets to direct traffic into appropriate lanes and reduce the distance for pedestrians crossing the street at Railroad Avenue.

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1. Made San Francisquito Creek Trail Accessible for Everyone to Enjoy

We want our trails to be enjoyed by all of our residents, on foot and on wheels. That’s why the trail access ramp on the west side of the San Francisquito Creek, connecting to the south side of Newhall Ranch Road, was replaced with an ADA-compliant access ramp. The slope incline was reduced to make it easier to cross. Eventually, this trail will extend under the Newhall Ranch Road Bridge to provide a continuous connection to the north side, as part of an upcoming bridge widening project.

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1. Repaired and Upgraded Canyon Country Park Equipment

The re-designed Child Play Area in Canyon Country now looks more “natural” in its surroundings with a tree-house style play tower and rock and log play features. These new structures replaced old equipment that was installed when the park first opened 20 plus years ago. The old equipment was donated to Kids Around the World, a charity that will re-use the equipment in less fortunate countries.

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1. Widened the Lost Canyon Road Bridge and Improved Safety

The Lost Canyon Road Bridge, located next to the Santa Clara River in Canyon Country, received some TLC earlier this year and was widened 16 feet to the north. The project added 4-foot shoulders along both sides of the existing travel lanes to provide extra space on the roadway. A new raised 10-foot wide, concrete walkway on the north side of the bridge was also added allowing residents to safely cross the bridge. The path is part of future trail improvements connecting Vista Canyon Development to Sand Canyon Road. This project won a Public Works award for the “Best Improvement for Public Safety.”

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1. Improved and Beautified Sierra Highway

Sierra Highway, from Via Princessa to Soledad Canyon Road may look a little different than it did a year ago. This stretch of road received upgrades to its medians including asphalt removal, landscape and irrigation installation, and the addition of decorative pavers. The project also added a triple turn pocket from north bound Sierra Highway onto west bound Soledad Canyon Road to improve traffic flow at the intersection.

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1. Completed Concrete Repairs

Another successful year of the Annual Concrete Repair Program was achieved. Santa Clarita doesn’t have smooth sidewalks by accident! Tripping hazards are no fun, and the program addresses sidewalks that have been damaged over time or by tree roots. The program also repairs curbs and gutters. ADA-compliant access ramps were also constructed in high-demand areas of the City, including near schools and other areas that experience high foot traffic. Santa-clarita.com/Sidewalk

1. Added New Trails and Amenities to our Open Space

Gateway Ranch Open Space at Newhall Pass was completed and now offers two miles of trails, four picnic tables, four benches, a parking lot, signs, lodge pole fencing, and an ADA accessible gate. Additionally, the connector trail now links Wildwood Canyon Open Space to Gateway.

Rivendale Park and Open Space introduced approximately two new miles of trails with the Taylor Trail and Elder Loop. Staff and volunteers constructed a parking lot, lodge pole fencing, signage and information kiosk. Additional trail miles and another trailhead are planned for 2017.

HikeSantaClarita.com