Detours and street repaving projects are becoming ubiquitous signs of the times around Napa.

Much of the rerouting of drivers through downtown is the result of continued work on the flood control project. Napans are also being sidetracked around the latest phase of repaving on the city's bumpiest streets.

Motorists seem to be paying attention.

“There have been no accidents as a result of the detours,” said Barry Martin, community outreach coordinator for the city. “At least to the best of my knowledge.”

Martin credits the absence of accidents to the flaggers managing traffic around the detours.

Now that Pearl Street has reopened after flood culverts were installed, closure of Main Street between First and Pearl will be required for additional culvert work.

Also, the Seminary Street bridge barrier rail replacement continues, but should have minor impacts on traffic.

Martin said the city is trying to give merchants as much advance notice as possible of upcoming detours.

“I think a pretty good job of that has been done so far,” he added. Main Street and vicinity will be the primary topic of interest.

This year’s repaving strategy concentrates on poor quality streets in the Terrace and Shurtleff neighborhood in southeast Napa, the Lake Park subdivision and around Redwood Middle School west of Highway 29.

Pacific Gas & Electric has started replacing a gas line in Browns Valley that will impact Twin Oaks Drive and Buhman Avenue. Flaggers are expected to direct drivers as PG&E begins work at Twin Oaks and proceeds south on Buhman.

VINE bus system general manager Reno Navarette said detours can be a problem, “but not if there has been advance planning. We work closely with the NCTPA (Napa County Transportation Agency).

“Sometimes things come up at the last minute," he said, but officials communicate with the drivers to avoid delayed schedules a much as possible.

Navarette said while his drivers are more aware of their surroundings as a result of the detours, “sometimes the passengers get confused and more tentative."

He added that if a bus runs more than 15 minutes behind schedule, the VINE will try and send out a second bus to pick up the slack. “We try and minimize the inconvenience to our customers,” Navarette said.