Stockton Avenue is in the process of a major makeover.

Since the spring, D.A. Wood Construction Inc. – the general contractor out of Oakdale, in February, was awarded the estimated $4.7 million Stockton Avenue Rehabilitation Project – has continued to perform underground improvements associated with the project.

With the work comes the kick up of dust. The Ripon City Council touched on that at the Aug. 10 meeting.

Councilman Leo Zuber received feedback from businesses relating to this matter while Mayor Daniel de Graaf asked if there’s “much in the way of dust control on Stockton Avenue?”

Engineering Supervisor Elizabeth Quilici responded, noting that efforts are being made on getting the dust under control on the road work.

“They’re asking people not to use Stockton Avenue unless it’s business related,” she said.

The work on Stockton Avenue is a year-long project involving a complete road construction from Second Street to Doak Boulevard, along with repairing and replacing several underground utilities coupled with the installation of concrete pavers new streetlights and six-foot sidewalks.

Funding is being made possible by several sources, including the Water Enterprise Capital Fund, Sewer Enterprise Capital Fund, Regional Surface Transportation Program Grant and Measure K.

Voter-approved Measure K renews the transportation improvement program that helps with transit improvements and street repairs in San Joaquin County while RSTP was established by state statue in utilizing surface transportation program funds.

Council just approved de Graaf to sign the Measure K Renewal Cooperative Agreement with the San Joaquin Council of Governments in order to receive reimbursement for the Stockton Avenue Rehabilitation Project from the Congestion Relief, Regional Arterial funding category of the Local Transportation Improvement Plan. No discussion was necessary.

Elected leader, in addition, approved a change order “not to exceed” $135,904 for various unforeseen field condition during recent construction.

This included three street light conflicts to existing overhead electrical lines; an abandon 8-inch gas line along with the discovery of unknown water and sewer laterals; weekend water shut-off on work to the existing water system from Second Street to East Fourth Street; an obstructed storm drain line; an abandoned PG&E vault & irrigation line; and an unknown industrial sewer connection.