It wasn’t long ago that a major rainstorm in the Santa Clarita Valley meant at least three major street closures. Soledad Canyon, Wiley Canyon and Sand Canyon Roads, among others, were often closed due to flooding; a phenomenon that has since been remedied, thanks to the City of Santa Clarita.
Since the mid 1990’s, the City of Santa Clarita, working with various public and private partners, have completed over $20 million in improvements that provide for the area’s important roadways to stay open during heavy rainstorms.
“We’ve completed a number of drainage, sewer and stormwater projects in the City that have made a huge difference to the community, especially during the rainy season. Bank stabilization projects, including a large and environmentally-sensitive project located across from the Saugus Speedway, the Vermont/Everett sewer project, a new drain and sewer in Sand Canyon at Oak Springs, plus regular maintenance, and our stormwater program have made it so these major roadways now stay open during rainstorms,” explains Robert Newman, Director of Public Works for the City of Santa Clarita.
“Preventing neighborhood flooding and subsequent damage to streets, landscape and homes benefits the entire community,” added Newman.
“During the 1990’s, we saw five federally-declared disasters due to winter storms in the Santa Clarita Valley. This prompted the City to respond by completing major drainage and prevention projects,” added Adele Macpherson, Community Services Superintendent for the City of Santa Clarita.
Over the next few days, three major rainstorms are expected to hit the Santa Clarita Valley. Those in need of sand and sandbags may obtain them free of charge at fire stations 123 on Sand Canyon Road; 73 on San Fernando Road; 107 on Soledad east of Sierra Highway; and 156 on Copperhill.
Release Date: 1/2/2008
