Lower Shady Lane / Poplar Ave Sewer improvements

Large Diameter Gravity Sewer Project II-3B

RVSD_LDGSII-3B_MAP_7.17.19Project Schedule

Mobilized:    July 2019

Complete:  Spring/Summer 2020

August 2019 Update


Sewer replacement and rehabilitation construction on Poplar Avenue and Ross Common began in early August. Work on Lower Shady Lane was completed in late July. Cratus Inc. is the contractor for RVSD.


  • Portions of Poplar Avenue and Ross Common (between Kentfield and the Post Office) will be closed from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day during construction, impacting the day to day operations of businesses and residents in the downtown area well into November 2019.

The RVSD project team and Town representatives provided an overview of what to expect and discussed project impacts at a Community Open House held on July 25, 2019 at Ross Town Hall. Click here to see the project  presentation given by RVSD.



  • Work on the Ross Creek Portion is anticipated to begin mid-late August and be complete in mid-late October.
  • Work on Shady Lane is expected to be complete in mid-August, prior to school returning to session.
  • Open trenches are covered with steel plates when work is not taking place.
  • Pipe lining of the segment along Lagunitas Rd. is scheduled for August 12-13.
  • Cyclists are advised to detour around Kent and use the College Ave Bike Route along the creek during construction.
  • Motorists are reminded to follow both flagger instructions and detour signage.

The Town of Ross and RVSD are coordinating traffic control with the County of Marin, with Electronic Message Boards containing street closure information  placed in both Kentfield and Ross. 

Project Information and Construction Notices

Please see individual project construction notices for information about allowable work hours in each work area.


  • Click here to view the Project Information Sheet.
  • Construction notices will be posted here as they become available.

Project Map

Please see the Current Infrastructure and Upcoming Capital Projects map below or click here to view both current and completed CIP projects on an interactive map. You can also go to the project pages listed on the left of this page for more information about other CIP projects that are under construction or scheduled to begin soon.


Project Contacts

Project Manager - James Smith, P.E.

Email:  jsmith@rvsd.org 

Call:  415-870-9771


Construction Manager - Justin Seufert, P.E.

Email:  justin.seufert@psomas.com 

Call:  530-966-7901

Project Summary


The Lower Shady Lane / Poplar Ave Sewer Improvements will replace old or outdated system infrastructure and enhance local wastewater system reliability and efficiency. Construction to improve system performance during wet weather will involve rehabilitation of 4,200 linear feet (LF) of existing 21 inch diameter sewer pipeline and associated structures. The project is being completed at a cost of $4.9 million.


The project is located in three areas: Ross Creek, Lower Shady Lane and Kent/Poplar Ave.


Project Construction Will Include

  • Sanitary sewer replacements on public and private property.
  • Bore-and-jack siphon crossing Ross Creek at Locust.
  • Parallel sewer construction by open-cut.
  • Sewer pipeline rehabilitation via trench-less methods such as cured-in-place pipe or fold and form, with bypass pumping of sanitary sewer flow.
  • Excavation, shoring and backfill, saw cutting.
  • Pipe and manhole repairs.  
  • Pavement restoration.

What You Can Expect

Please expect noise and dust, vibration, possible odors, lane closures and detours, parking restrictions, travel delays and night-time work on streets near each work site during construction activity. Mail and package delivery to these areas will not be interrupted. Local and emergency access will be maintained at all times.


  • Noise, Dust, Vibration, Possible Odors, Lane Closures and Detours, Restricted Parking, Travel Delays

More Information About Construction Projects


Visit RVSD.org/construction

To find out if there will be construction in your neighborhood


Notify Me at RVSD.org/notifyme and click to select the Construction Updates you want.


Email Construction@rvsd.org

To leave a message or request being added to the project email list


Call RVSD at 415-259-2949. Our office staff are available Monday - Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. We can assist you with emergency service 24 hours per day, seven days per week.


RVSD APPRECIATES your patience as we fulfill our commitment to making strategic long-term infrastructure improvements.

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