Calvert announces funding approval for Menifee projects
Design graphic shows how the bridge will elevate Bradley Road above Salt Creek. By Doug Spoon, Editor Two Menifee infrastructure projects ...
By Doug Spoon, Editor
Two Menifee infrastructure projects received a boost this week when long-awaited federal funding was secured, Congressman Ken Calvert announced.
Following approval of the Fiscal Year 2022 Appropriations bill by the House of Representatives and U.S. Senate, Calvert announced that $5 million will be devoted to construction of the Bradley Road Bridge over Salt Creek. In addition, $2.5 million has been awarded to a project to convert homes in the Quail Valley community from septic to sewer.
The Bradley Road project will raise the roadway several feet in a bridge across Salt Creek, which is dry for most of the year but is prone to flooding during heavy rainstorms. Design of the project was approved six years ago, but funding for the project remained about $3 million short. Extra funding for the project was made through a request from Menifee city officials to Calvert last year.
Each member of Congress was allowed to submit up to 10 requests for his or her entire Congressional district for funding of local projects. The Bradley Road bridge and Quail Valley sewer project were Menifee’s top two requests.
According to principal engineer Carlos Geronimo, slight modifications to the design became necessary when the Salt Creek Trail was completed where it crosses Bradley Road. Otherwise, the funding puts officials in position to prepare for construction of the project.
“We appreciate Congressman Calvert’s efforts in securing vital funding for the Bradley Road Bridge project, which will help improve the overall safety and well-being of our community,” said Menifee Mayor Bill Zimmerman in a news release from Calvert’s office. “This $5 million investment in our city provides the gap funding needed to help us move this project forward and accelerate our construction timeline.”
“The Bradley Road Bridge project will improve an essential access point to communities in Menifee that are effectively isolated during major rain events,” said Calvert. “It’s critical that we take action now to improve the Bradley Road Bridge and protect these vulnerable neighborhoods. I’m grateful for work done by the city of Menifee to prepare this project for construction and highlight its importance.”
The rural community of Quail Valley has long been in need of a sewer project to replace existing septic tanks. Problems have occurred in the past when septic tanks have overflowed, sending raw sewage into the streets.
The $2.5 million award will help fund the conversion project, in which Eastern Municipal Water District is working to convert homes to direct sewer connections. The project has been identified as a priority for the California Water Resources Control Board and the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board.
“EMWD is incredibly appreciative of the funds Congressman Calvert has helped secure in the Fiscal Year 2022 Appropriations bill to support our septic to sewer conversion project in Quail Valley,” said EMWD Board President Phil Paule. “This funding will have a direct impact on our ability to advance a project that will protect public health in an economically disadvantaged community. We are grateful for the partnership we have with Congressman Calvert and look forward to future opportunities to work together to benefit the residents we mutually serve.”
“The Quail Valley Septic-to-Sewer Conversion Project is a significant priority for Riverside County,” said Calvert. “The overflow events triggered by heavy rains pose a significant health risk and degradation of water quality throughout the watershed.
“Addressing this ongoing problem will provide benefits to residents in Quail Valley as well as communities downstream in Canyon Lake and Lake Elsinore. More work remains to complete additional septic conversions in the region, but the funding included in the FY22 bill is a positive step towards the completion of this beneficial project. I appreciate the efforts of everyone at EMWD on this vital project.”
