Taft Avenue Sewer Improvement

The Taft Avenue Sewer Improvement Project will continue through the holiday season. Recent weather impacts have shifted some anticipated timelines, and the most current information is available on this project webpage.

Construction crews are currently working in the median along Taft Ave. between Cambridge St. and Tustin St. to install a larger pipeline. As this work wraps up, they will move into the final phase on Taft Ave. from Glassell St. to Tustin St. Additionally, crews are preparing to start new phases of work in two nearby areas along the project route. To maintain progress, in December, two crews will be working simultaneously during the day on Taft Ave., and one crew will be working on Tustin St. for night work. 

Please note, no work will take place on Thursday, November 27 and Friday, November 28 in observance of Thanksgiving.

Current Work 

Location: Taft Ave. from Cambridge St. to Tustin St.

• When: Currently ongoing through the week of December 1*
• Hours: Monday – Friday; 8:30 a.m.—4 p.m., M–F

Upcoming Work

Crew 1 will finish up daytime work this month and transition to night work at the Taft Ave. and Tustin St. intersection. After completing this work, they will continue north on Tustin St. towards E. Taft Ave. The work will consist of trenching, pipeline abandonment, and installation. 

• When: Week of December 8 through January 2026*
• Hours: Monday–Friday; 10 p.m.– 6 a.m.*

Crew 2 will start near the intersection of Tustin St. and E. Taft Ave. and continue east along the median past Sacramento St. Work will begin with setting up K-rail for bypass installation and lateral relocations, then move into trenching and pipeline installation. Occasional day and night work may be needed to complete this phase of work. Additional details will be provided as this phase of work begins.

Re-striping of E. Taft Ave. between Tustin St and Sacramento St. has already taken place to prepare for the upcoming work. There are currently delineator cones in place to ensure the safety of the community. 

• When: Week of December 1 through mid- March 2026*
• Hours: Monday–Friday; 7 a.m.– 6 p.m.*

Crew 3 will begin the final phase on Taft Ave. from Glassell St. to Tustin St., now that a new larger pipeline has been installed. The final phase will include abandonment of the old pipeline, manhole removal, and final paving.

• When: Early December (starting once current work on Taft Ave. is completed) until the mid-January 2026*
• Hours: Monday – Friday; 8:30 a.m.—4 p.m.
  • Impacts: This phase of work will be temporary traffic control.
    • Crews will be working in small sections along the work Taft Ave. 
    • Some parking may be affected during the day while the work is being performed. It will be restored after 4 p.m.

Impacts: 

• Access for through traffic will be maintained during construction.
• A bypass has been installed at the corner of Taft Ave. and Tustin St, which may result in intermittent crosswalk closures. Please follow all posted signs.
• Bike lanes may be impacted during construction.
• No street parking along the work area.
• U-turns will not be allowed in and near the construction area during this work.
• A four-way stop will be in place at the intersection of E. Taft Ave. and Tustin St. during a portion of the work.
• Left turn restrictions will be in effect on E. Taft Ave.
• Potential bus stop relocations. Visit www.octa.net for details.
• Expect dust, noise, and increased activity near the construction zone.

*All dates and times are subject to change due to operational factors or inclement weather.

Project Description: 

The Taft Avenue Sewer Improvement Project will replace and relocate a portion of the Taft Sewer in the City of Orange.

This project will upsize almost two miles of pipe along Taft Avenue from Glassell Street to Sacramento Street, northbound on Sacramento Street to Brentford Avenue, to Breckenridge Street to Meats Avenue. The current pipe ranges between 12 to 15 inches and will be upsized to 18 to 21 inches.

A portion of the sewer that currently runs along Tustin Street will be relocated to North Sacramento Street where there is more room to install a larger pipe and facilitates the future maintenance of the pipeline.

Project Schedule: December 2024 – Fall 2026

Local Sewer Provider 

• City of Orange – Water Division – (714) 288-2475