A major construction project is under way in one Pismo Beach neighborhood to improve fire protection in the area.

A $3.5 million project started at the beginning of May in the Pismo Heights area to upgrade the primary water mains on Longview Avenue and Merced Street and construct new storage areas, including construction of a second water tank.

Doing so would improve water storage capacity for domestic and emergency needs, and increase water volume and pressure to ensure enough water can be delivered to emergency personnel in the event of a fire, according to city officials.

The improvements are Pismo Beach’s largest infrastructure undertaking since the city upgraded its sewer plant.

A $2.9 million contract was awarded to Hemet-based RSH Construction. The entire project is estimated to cost about $3.5 million, said city Associate Engineer Eric Eldridge.

Constructed started in early May and is expected to wrap up sometime in February, he said.

The project is an inconvenience to residents there, in part because the neighborhood’s narrow roadways and limited access create limited staging and storage areas for construction workers. Crews are trying to keep one lane of traffic open at all times on Longview Avenue, but there have been some delays.

City staff has spent the last year working trying to get the word out to residents about the work, Eldridge said.

For more information on the project, go to http://ca-pismobeach.civicplus.com/index.aspx?nid=579.