A 30-inch Corban pipeline on Old Highway 156 near San Juan blew out again in the same problem area, with board discussion noting ongoing issues tied to the past Caltrans/construction work area and prior construction-management decisions. Maintenance crews replaced approximately 207 feet of pipe, temporarily downsizing to 24-inch HDPE to restore service by Friday night. Staff presented three preliminary cost estimates for permanent improvements: a ~$2.7M bypass loop (limited backup flow via 24-inch pipe), an ~$8.6M replacement of all pipe smaller than ~20–24 inches in the orange alignment shown, or a ~$6M replacement of the Corban 30-inch segment along Old Highway 156 from the recent break area to Lucy Brown (about 8,500 ft). No formal recommendation was made yet, but the board was told there is room in existing rates to fund some of these projects. Growers on the San Juan system should be aware that future breaks remain possible in this corridor until a permanent solution is implemented.
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