Q: The large mound of dirt at Oak Street is slowly being trucked away. Where did it come from? Where is it going? And what will become of that corner lot?

It is such a highly visible area with many people passing by on their way to and from work as well as out-of-towners attending events at Rabobank who stay at one of the many motels nearby. I would think it's in our city's best interest to give thought as to what becomes of that area.

- Darlyn Baker

A: Brad Underwood, city assistant public works director, answered this one:

The large mound of dirt is being hauled off for use on the Mohawk Street project. The dirt is from the sump that was built on the site in conjunction with the 22nd Street storm drain project that was completed last year.

The corner lot was purchased to improve the intersection of 24th Street and Oak Street as part of the TRIP program. The lot will remain vacant until the intersection improvements are complete.

Q: There's a canal that runs down South H Street toward Taft Highway, and recently there were installed some large pipes along the canal bank that pour what looks like water into the canal, especially between Berkshire Hosking.

Before the pipes were installed, it looked like they were drilling for oil in the same locations.

What are these pipes, and is that really water, clean water, pouring out of them? Where does that water come from?

- Whitney Weddell

A: Underwood fielded this question, too:

The Kern Island Canal is owned and operated by Kern Delta Water District. KDWD drilled water wells along its canal system to pump groundwater that the district had previously recharged as part of a groundwater banking and extraction program. The pipes discharge pumped groundwater into the canal.

The water is clean and can be used to irrigate crops but is not to drinking level standards.

Q: My family travels Highway 178 at least four times each day. We see CHP, county sheriff and Bakersfield police all patrolling it. There is rarely a trip that we don't see one of these law enforcement representatives between Fairfax and the mouth of the canyon.

Why are all three agencies apparently targeting this 55 mph stretch of Highway 178?

- Guy Greenlee

A: They all belong out there. That stretch is mostly in the city limits with a couple county pockets. So the police patrol most of the side streets off the highway for traffic and crime incidents, while the sheriff's department takes the side streets in the county pockets for non-traffic incidents. The CHP handles traffic and accidents on state highways, including Highway 178.

Q: I heard rumors that there is a planned development on the Kern County Power Plant site on Rosedale Highway and Coffee Road. If that is true, what type of development is it?

- Joshua Jones

A: This is the Bakersfield Commons project, a 255-acre mixed-use development constructed over 20 years, starting with a retail center, parks and open green space. Office space is slated to be built in the first, second and third phases and the third phase includes new single-family and multi-family homes.

City staffers are still working with the applicant on completion of technical studies so a draft environmental impact report can be prepared and released for public review, said city Planning Department Director Jim Eggert.

Q: What is the new building that looks like a restaurant next to BJ's going to be? Also, what other restaurants are coming to Bako?

- Jason Chamberlain

A: That's a Panera Bread, which is expected to open by the end of the year.

As for other restaurants, the city's Eggert said there's nothing new for his office to report, likely due to the slow economy.

Ask The Californian appears on Mondays and Thursdays. Submit questions to asktbc@bakersfield.com or to The Bakersfield Californian, c/o Christine Bedell, P.O. Bin 440, Bakersfield, CA 93302.