When the City of Carlsbad, California sought to upgrade and replace portions of its 40-year-old sewer and storm drain systems in the historic Carlsbad Village area, PBS&J was selected to provide construction management services for the project. The $16-million Vista/Carlsbad sewer/storm drain replacement project involved the installation of 2.6 miles of 18-inch through 84-inch storm drain, 2 miles of 36-inch through 54-inch interceptor sewer, associated structures and appurtenant facilities.

In an effort to minimize impacts to the local business district, the City implemented the use of micro-tunneling to install one mile of 42-inch interceptor sewer within Jefferson Street and Oak Avenue. The remaining phases of the sewer and storm drain installation were installed with traditional open-cut trenching methods. The deepest cuts approached 30 feet in depth for installation of 84 feet of RCP storm drainpipe and occurred within existing groundwater tables. The storm drain facility included the construction of an 84-inch storm drain outfall and riprap energy dissipater, which releases storm water into the Agua Hedionda Lagoon.

Throughout construction, an extensive public outreach effort to the local community was conducted, which included public forums, council presentations, monthly newsletters, a project website, and distribution of door hanger notifications. Additionally, extensive coordination was required and maintained with various regulatory agencies and adjacent utilities including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, RWQCB, Encina Wastewater Treatment Authority, the North County Transit District, Sempra Energy, SDG&E, Pacific Bell, Adelphia Cable, and other franchise utilities.