San Clemente : San Clemente Pier Repair Scheduled to End Today

Although they are two months behind schedule, construction crews have been working around-the-clock to complete repair work on the San Clemente pier in time for its grand rededication next week.

City Engineer Ed Putz said Thursday that repairs to the city landmark, necessitated when a surveying error in March left a noticeable hump, are scheduled to be completed today with a final inspection scheduled this afternoon.

San Clemente’s landmark was one of several Southern California piers that were damaged or destroyed by severe winter storms that buffeted Southern California in early 1983. A Long Beach company was in the process of restoring the pier when the city discovered a survey error that caused the end of the pier to dip about 15 inches. Responsibility for the hump that resulted was assumed by the construction company. Putz estimated that the correction cost the company “well over $100,000.”

As a precaution, the City Council decided in April to withhold 10% of the $750,000 repair payment until 30 days after the work was complete.

So far, Putz said, the repair work has progressed smoothly and no delay is expected in the rededication ceremony scheduled for June 22.

The ceremony will include speeches and a luncheon honoring the various agencies and individuals who supplied the $1.4 million to restore the pier.

More than 2,000 people are expected to attend the event, which will start summer activities in San Clemente.