Roadwork slows traffic

WEST BURBANK — Residents should expect delays until early August as crews tear up a roughly one-mile section of Buena Vista Street, city officials warned this week.

The construction, stretching from Jeffries Avenue to the alley south of San Fernando Boulevard, is in the final phase of the $824,000 project. The money — $600,000 from city redevelopment funds, the rest from state gasoline-tax revenue — was allocated to repair what is considered among the worst roads in Burbank.

Buena Vista Street and Empire Avenue, where resurfacing began Monday, were both rated "very poor" during a citywide survey of roads in 2005.

"Continuing to improve infrastructure, transportation and traffic flows are part of the City Council's top goals for this year," city spokesman Keith Sterling said.

The construction on the four blocks of Empire Avenue stretching from Naomi Street to Lincoln Street is funded by an outside developer.

Although north and south traffic will remain open with at least one lane each way on Buena Vista Street, cross streets and local access for residents will be most affected, said city engineer Sean Corrigan.

Most of the Buena Vista Street paving will be completed Saturday. East and westbound lanes on Empire Avenue will remain open during that time, officials said.

The final paving on Empire Avenue is scheduled to occur at night through the end of next week, with all signal work and striping planned for for both streets in early August.

Signs will announce delays and detours and all east-west cross streets will be closed except for local residential access for the duration of the paving process.

The city has similar construction plans for the southern part of Buena Vista Street closer to Alameda Avenue and Providence St. Joseph Hospital.

The City Council will vote Tuesday evening to approve contract bids for continued improvement. There are also plans to carry the refurbishment of Buena Vista Street to San Fernando Boulevard and Winona Avenue.