Mission Trails Project
Project Description
Project Schedule
Project Map
Trail Closures in the Park
Publications
Community Outreach
School Information
Environmental Documents
Helpful Links
Contact Us
Contracting Opportunities
Tunneling Begins
Construction on the San Diego County Water Authority's Mission Trails
Pipeline Tunnel Project is proceeding. This project will upgrade water
pipelines running beneath western portions of Mission Trails Regional
Park. Activities are underway to excavate a new mile-long pipeline tunnel
between the North and South Tunnel Portals (see map). The new tunnel will
be created using a roadheader excavation machine and controlled blasting.
The roadheader uses metal spinning teeth to loosen rock and soil material.
The material is then excavated from the tunnel using a conveyor belt system.
In locations where the rock is too hard for the roadheader to tunnel,
controlled blasting will be used. When needed, blasting could occur up
to twice daily; once in the morning and again in the afternoon. Tunneling activities are expected to last approximately six months, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday. As always, the
Water Authority will do everything possible to minimize disruption and
impacts to the public.
We’re GOING GREEN!! Updates will now be sent electronically.
Being “part of the park,” the Water Authority is doing its part to minimize its environmental footprint. Stay updated as project construction progresses by subscribing to the project’s electronic newsletter, Park Watermark. The paper-free newsletter will save our natural resources and help us share timely project information quickly and efficiently. Please sign up by entering your email address below. Thank you in advance for helping us “go green.”
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Project Description
The San Diego County Water Authority maintains critical water pipelines beneath portions of Mission Trails Regional Park in the city of San Diego. The Water Authority is upgrading its untreated water system in the northwest area of Mission Trails to deliver more water to treatment plants that serve the central and south sections of San Diego County. The project will help ensure water reliability in the region through the year 2030.
The major elements of the Mission Trails Project are:
• Construction of a pipeline tunnel and associated pipeline interconnections,
• Demolition of all existing above-ground vent stacks in the park,
• Construction of a stabilized river crossing at the San Diego River, and
• Construction of an underground flow regulatory structure .
Pipeline and Tunnel
Two existing small pipelines will be replaced with one larger pipeline. Nearly one mile long, the new pipeline will be constructed in a tunnel and will be able to deliver larger quantities of untreated water. A majority of work on the tunnel and new pipeline will take place underground in Mission Trails Regional Park, just east of the community of Tierrasanta in the city of San Diego.
Vent Demolition
When the new tunnel pipeline is constructed, the Water Authority will be able to remove all of the blue vent stacks that are visible on hilltops in the park.
Stabilized Crossing of the San Diego River
The existing river crossing that allows Water Authority, park ranger, fire, police, and emergency vehicles access to Mission Trails Regional Park needs to be stabilized. A new stabilized river crossing will allow small trucks to safely cross the river during normal water flows.
Flow Regulatory Structure
A new underground flow regulatory structure, or covered reservoir, will be constructed to help regulate the water system’s flow of untreated water. It will be capable of holding up to 12 million gallons of untreated water. An above-ground access building will be built to house instrumentation and controls, provide ventilation and security, and allow access for maintenance and repairs.
Construction of FRS II is scheduled to begin in mid-2011 and last approximately two years.
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Project Schedule
| Project construction begins |
October 2008 |
| Installation of field office trailers |
December 2008 |
| Clairemont Mesa Blvd. Bridge Repair |
December 2008-January 2009 |
| Establish North Portal |
December 2008 through January 2009 |
| Establish South Portal |
December 2008 through January 2009 |
| Major Tunneling Activities |
February 2009 through early 2011 |
| FRS II Construction |
Mid 2011 through 2013 |
| Project construction ends |
2013 |
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| *All dates are approximate and subject to change. |
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| Completed Milestones |
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| Completion of project design |
July 2007 |
Final EIR and project approved by
Water Authority Board of Directors |
August 24, 2006 |
| 45-day public review period closed |
May 10, 2006 |
| Public hearing at the Water Authority |
April 27, 2006 |
| Release of Draft Environmental Impact Report |
March 27, 2006
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Project Map
Printable version 
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Trail Closures in the Park
Safety is important to the San Diego Water Authority. Also important is maintaining recreation at the park during construction, whenever possible. To keep trail users safe, many trails in the western portion of the park must be closed during construction hours, which are Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Trails can be accessed outside of these construction hours and on Sundays.
Recreational trail access will be allowed from Calle de Vida. This access point may be the best alternative for those who access the park from Clairemont Mesa Boulevard. Park access will also be allowed from Corte Playa Catalina. Please download a copy of the trail closure map as a reference so you can make plans to continue to enjoy the beauty and natural environment of the park.
Trails will be reopened after construction completion in 2013.
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Publications
Mission Trails Fact Sheet
Fact Sheet
Mission Trails Park WaterMark Newsletter
Winter 2009
Summer 2008
Fall 2007
Fall 2006
Spring 2005
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Community Outreach
Community Information Updates:
Community Presentations:
Mission Trails Project Working Group
From May 2005 to March 2006, the Water Authority convened a public working group to gather community input about the project. Working group members included representatives from the Tierrasanta and San Carlos communities, Mission Trails Regional Park, and park user groups. The group met periodically throughout the design, environmental and planning stages, informing the Water Authority of their concerns and providing suggestions for addressing those concerns.
Working Group Meeting Summaries:
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School Information
Increase in Large Construction Trucks on Select Tierrasanta Roads
An increase in the number of large construction trucks has begun in the Tierrasanta area. The truck activity is part of the Mission Trails Project.
Construction requires large trucks to travel near certain Tierrasanta schools to access the western part of the park. The major roads that will be used include Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, Santo Road, Via Valarta, Antigua Boulevard, and Portobelo Drive (see map below). Truck drivers will be required to follow appropriate traffic rules, as well as weight and speed limits.
Safety is the Water Authority’s first priority, and we want to help keep kids safe. Please talk to your child about street safety. “Street Smart” posters providing street safety tips were provided to schools near the access routes. Please look for our posters at your Tierrasanta school.
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Helpful Links
Mission Trails Regional Park - http://mtrp.org/index.asp
City of San Diego Water Department - http://www.sandiego.gov/water/
Tierrasanta Community Council - http://www.tierrasantacc.org/
San Diego Mountain Biking Association - http://www.sdmba.com/
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For more information about the San Diego County Water Authority’s Mission Trails Project, please call toll free (877) 682-9283, Ext. 7004 or email CIPinfo@sdcwa.org. A representative from the project team will return your call within one business day.
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