Public Works Projects

City Council meeting of 6/24/2025

DeLaveaga Golf Course – Roofing Repair Project (c402604)

Robert Dericco, Engineering Associate (831) 420-5519

View Project Plans(PDF, 15MB)

View Project Specifications(PDF, 6MB)

The City will study the condition of existing caves and rock formations surrounding Lighthouse Point and recommend options to protect, restore, and/or relocate infrastructure along Lighthouse Point, consistent with the City’s Local Coastal Program, as part of the City’s balanced approach to coastal management. This project will inform the City’s next steps, which could include a capital investment project for Lighthouse Point once the study is complete.

Timeline: June 2025 - December 2026

Cost: $350,000

Contact: Kevin Crossley - kcrossley@santacruzca.gov; 831-420-5164

Scott Glucs, Associate Professional Engineer  (831) 420-5086 

The City of Santa Cruz Murray Street Bridge Seismic Retrofit and Barrier Replacement Project aims to enhance public safety, improve seismic resilience, and upgrade traffic barriers on the bridge. The project will install new piles, extend the existing pile caps to incorporate the new piles, construct a new line of columns, place new bent caps, and widen the bridge deck.

In addition to making the bridge more resilient to earthquakes, the project will result in a bridge deck with 6-foot-wide bike lanes and a 7.5-foot-wide sidewalk along the south (ocean) side to support a two-way pedestrian path of travel. The current elevated curbs along the bike lanes will be replaced with standard 6-inch-high curbs to improve the bicycle user experience. In addition, the current solid concrete vehicular barrier will be replaced with see-through barrier rails, allowing for better harbor and ocean views. A new County sewer force main serving Live Oak, Capitola, Soquel, and Aptos will also be upsized and included in the project

Construction Timeline: January 2025 to January 2028

Estimated Construction Cost: $50 million

Visit the project webpage for more information, including plans and specs.

City Council meeting of 6/24/2025

Soquel/Front and Locust Street Garage Elevator Repairs (c401509 and c402106) 

Robert Dericco, Engineering Associate (831) 420-5519

View Elevator Condition Report(PDF, 5MB)

View Project Specifications(PDF, 553KB)

Scott Glucs, Associate Professional Engineer, (831) 420-5086

This project will confirm that FEMA has determined that the San Lorenzo River levee system meets the design, data, and documentation requirements of 44 CFR 65.10; it therefore can be shown on a a Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) as reducing the base flood hazard. This determination is based on a submittal, by or on behalf of a community, which includes 44 CFR 65.10—compliant data and documentation, certified by a registered professional engineer. 

Additional Information

The City of Santa Cruz Public Works Department and the County of Santa Cruz Community Development & Infrastructure have submitted an application to FEMA for a Letter of Map Revision (LOMR). Once approved, this will effectively update the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) for downtown Santa Cruz and the San Lorenzo River Floodplain (from Pacific Ocean to approximately Henry Cowell State Park).

These annotated FIRMs(PDF, 62MB) show the proposed maps. These maps will be reviewed and confirmed by FEMA, after which the City and County will notify all affected property owners. FEMA will provide a comment period.

Project History and Current Status (Updated as of 10/9/2024)

• Application submitted to FEMA – November 2023
• Request for Additional Information received from FEMA – July 2024
• Response to Request for Additional Information submitted – October 2024 
• Request for Additional Information #2 received from FEMA – January 2025
• Response to Request for Additional Information #2 submitted – March 2025

Next Steps (Timeline dependent on FEMA’s review)

• Proposed FIRMs reviewed and approved by FEMA
• City/County notify all affected property owners
• FEMA’s Public Comment period
• FEMA issues Letter of Map Revision

The West Cliff Drive Path Realignment Project will improve safety along the multiuse path at two locations affected by wave action and coastal erosion.

Near Lighthouse Point, the project will remove the path closest to the seawall and improve the wider path adjacent to the roadway. Improvements will also include new fencing, native drought-tolerant landscaping, and relocated benches and monuments.

Across from Getchell Street, the path will be moved away from the eroding bluff edge and realigned next to the roadway. The project will also relocate a bench and refuse bin and remove eight perpendicular parking spaces. Street parking will remain available across the road.

The project is estimated to cost approximately $497,000 and is funded through a California Natural Resources Agency grant. Construction is anticipated in late 2026.

View Project Plans(PDF, 2MB)

View Project Specifications(PDF, 3MB)

The 800 West Cliff Drive Road Realignment Project will relocate a vulnerable section of West Cliff Drive inland near Lighthouse Field State Beach following storm damage and coastal erosion that occurred during the winter of 2023–24.

The project will realign approximately 600 feet of roadway and a portion of the adjacent multiuse path farther inland to improve safety, protect public access, and reduce the risk of future erosion impacts. Improvements also include drainage upgrades, fencing, site amenities, vegetation restoration, and removal of the existing roadway and pathway within the erosion hazard area.

• Construction: June 2027 - December 2027
• Cost: $1,800,000
• Contact: Tim Wong (twong@santacruzca.gov or 831-420-5179)
• View the Project Design Plans (60%)(PDF, 21MB)

Review Documents: The Public Review period begins July 2, 2026 and will be open for 30 days. Please submit comments to twong@santacruzca.gov 

NOI-800-West-Cliff-Drive.pdf(PDF, 136KB)

800-WCD-IS_MND-Draft.pdf(PDF, 28MB)

City Council Meeting of January 14, 2025

Contact: Danilo Cabreros, Assistant Engineer II, (831) 420-5420

Scope of Work: The work to be done consists in general of installing radar detection system at 26 signalized intersections citywide. The project will also install yellow retroreflective borders around traffic signal heads at 41 signalized intersections citywide.

Estimated Cost: $1,240,000.000

Construction: September - November 2025

View Project Plans(PDF, 16MB)

View Project Specifications(PDF, 987KB)

The improvements to the Bay Corridor will create a complete street that connects West Cliff Drive to the University of California Santa Cruz. A complete street is a roadway designed to accommodate all users, including pedestrians, cyclists, public transit riders, people with disabilities, and vehicles. The goal of a complete street project is to create safer, more accessible, and more inviting streets that promote active transportation and enhance community connectivity. 

Contact: Claire Gallogly, Principal Transportation Planner, cgallogly@santacruzca.gov 

The Bay Corridor improvements from California to Escalona and Nobel to High will connect existing multiuse paths, parks and open space, Bay View Elementary School, affordable senior housing, multifamily housing, and high frequency transit lines with a complete street design. The project will include separated bike lanes, transit boarding islands, and new signalized crossings at King and Mission. The project will be implemented in phases, with this section coordinated with Caltrans' Mission Street Maintenance Project.

Features

• Two-way Separated Bike Lane on the west side of the roadway from Rail Trail to King Street.
• One way separated bike lanes on either side of the roadway from King Street to High Street.
• Coordination with Santa Cruz METRO on transit boarding islands and stop consolidation.
• Signalized intersection modifications for improved mobility.
• Repaving of the entire corridor.
• Improvements to sidewalks and curb ramps for accessibility.
• Connectivity to Coastal Rail Trail and Bay View Elementary.

Construction: Summer 2027

Cost: $4,500,000

Review Concept Plans(PDF, 161MB)

Review Pilot Design(PDF, 86MB)

Escalona Drive to Nobel Drive

Completed in 2026

Features

• One-way Separated Bike Lane on both sides of roadway and pedestrian facilities on the northbound side.
• Reduction in the number of auto lanes.
• Coordination with transit.
• Plan already approved, initial bids rejected due to cost, awaiting construction.

West Cliff Drive to California Street

Features

• Two-way Separated Bike Lane adjacent to La Barranca Park.
• Coordination with Santa Cruz METRO on transit boarding islands and stop consolidation.
• Crossing improvements connecting across Bay.

Estimated Schedule: With the a future pavement maintenance project.

The intersection of Bay Drive and Escalona Drive is one of the top ten collision locations in the City of Santa Cruz. To improve safety at this intersection, the City will install temporary traffic control measures to eliminate the left turn and through movements on Escalona Drive. The project will also install a speed feedback sign, transverse rumble strips, and additional signage on Bay Drive to reinforce the 25-mph speed limit.

How can I travel through the Bay/Escalona intersection while the pilot is in place?

• Drivers traveling southbound on Bay (away from UCSC) will be able to turn left from Bay Drive to Escalona Drive.
• Drivers traveling northbound on Bay (towards UCSC) will not be able to turn left from Bay Drive to Escalona Drive.
• Drivers on Escalona will not be able to turn left or drive straight across Bay to stay on Escalona Drive.
• Bicyclists on Escalona will be able to travel straight through the intersection to stay on Escalona Drive.
• Pedestrian movements will remain the same

Timeline

The pilot project will be installed in October 2026, weather permitting, and will be in place through summer 2027. Traffic counts will be collected to evaluate pilot impacts.

Questions or comments about the pilot project? Please complete the following form.

Bay/Escalona Pilot Project Feedback Form

View Project Plans(PDF, 86MB)

Front Street is experiencing major growth from new developments and a concentration of transit service with the new Metro Transit Center. This project will add dedicated transit lanes on Front Street, add new crossings to the paseos that connect with the riverwalk, and reduce travel time delays along the corridor. The initial phase of work takes place from Cathcart Street to Laurel Street and at later phase will make improvements around the Soquel Avenue intersection on Front Street.

Construction: January 2025 - June 2026

Cost: $5,000,000

Contact: Matthew Starkey, Transportation Manager (831) 420-5182

View Project Plans(PDF, 35MB)

View Project Specifications(PDF, 1MB)

The Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) is a federal grant program that funds roadway improvements designed to reduce traffic fatalities and serious injuries. Administered in California by Caltrans, the program supports infrastructure projects that use proven safety measures and nationally recognized crash-reduction strategies.

To qualify for HSIP funding, local agencies must have an approved Local Roadway Safety Plan. The Santa Cruz City Council adopted the City’s plan on May 25, 2021.

The City Council authorized applications for two recent rounds of HSIP funding:

• Cycle 11: On September 13, 2022, the City Council authorized an application for funding to improve five intersections. The City was awarded $249,120.
• Cycle 12: On October 22, 2024, the City Council authorized an application for funding to improve two intersections. The City was awarded $349,110.

Together, these grants will support safety improvements at seven intersections in Santa Cruz.

View Project Plans(PDF, 8MB)

View Project Specifications(PDF, 998KB)

Build sidewalks on Laurel Street between King Street and Escalona Drive to complete sidewalk on one side of the street. Should the project budget allow, missing sidewalk along Escalona Drive between Walnut Street and Laurent Street will also be considered for inclusion in the project.

Estimated Design: 2026

Estimated Construction: 2028

Cost: $1,070,000

Contact: Matthew Starkey, Transportation Manager (831) 420-5182

About

The Coastal Rail Trail is part of the Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail Network Master Plan — envisioned 20 years ago by then-U.S. Senator Sam Farr—providing a continuous and separated bicycle/pedestrian path spanning the entire 32-mile length of the Santa Cruz County coast.

There are 20 Coastal Rail Trail segments altogether that are planned and managed by the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission. Coastal Rail Trail Segments 7 and 8 and part of Segment 9 run through the City of Santa Cruz.

Segments 8 & 9: Pacific Avenue to 17th Avenue 

Construction Est.: Summer 2026
Matthew Starkey, Project Manager (831) 420-5182

Coastal Rail Trail Segments 8 and 9 Project is a 2.2-mile bicycle and pedestrian system that extends along the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line corridor, from the Beach Street/Pacific Avenue Roundabout on the west to the eastern side of 17th Avenue on the east.

Segment 8 (0.6 mile) is comprised of a Class IV on street bicycle system and pedestrian sidewalk improvements. Segment 9 (1.6 miles) is comprised of a multi-use bicycle and pedestrian trail.

The goals of this project are to increase the numbers of people biking and walking, improve safety and mobility of non-motorized users, and provide high-quality connections to schools, parks, and community facilities.

In December 2022 this project was awarded $35.7 million in Active Transportation Program grant funding through the California Transportation Commission.

When constructed, this project will be part of the planned 32-mile Coastal Rail Trail that traverses the entire coastline of Santa Cruz County. A part of the Segment 8 project, the San Lorenzo River Trestle Trail widening, was accelerated ahead of the rest of the segment and was completed in May 2019.

Coastal Rail Trail Segments 8 and 9 design completion is expected in the spring of 2024. Permits are expected in the winter months 2024-25 and construction is expected to begin in the summer of 2025.

Learn More About City Rail Trail Segments

Additional Information

• Click for larger map here
• FAQs Regional Transportation Commission
• Environmental Review/CEQA
• View Open House Video 3.31.22
• Segments 8 & 9 Open House PowerPoint 3.31.22
• Segments 8 & 9 – Schematic Plans (Ultimate Trail)
• Segment 8 Plans with Public Comment (Open House, BAC, EDTAC, TPWC)
• Segment 9 Plans with Public Comment (Open House, BAC, EDTAC, TPWC)
• Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) September 2022
• DEIR presentation slides from Oct. 19 public me
• Video recording of Oct. 19 DEIR public meeting
• Segments 8 & 9 - Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) January 2023

Install pathway lighting and rehabilitation the path on the San Lorenzo River Levee from Laurel St to the river mouth.

Construction: March 2026 - December 2027

Cost: $1,495,000

Contact: Matthew Starkey, Transportation Manager (831) 420-5182

Soquel Avenue is one of the primary east-west routes through Santa Cruz carrying approximately 22,000 vehicles per day and now recycled water. Over the past few years, the Pure Water Soquel Project has been working on the installation of a recycled water pipeline which connects our Wastewater Treatment Plant to their facility on Chanticleer Avenue in the County. The pipeline work is now complete, and the project will be restriping the roadways where patching occurred over the new pipeline. The City of Santa Cruz (City) has developed two minor striping enhancements at Frederick Street and Trevethan Avenue to improve safety traffic flow caused by the diversions from Murray Street Bridge Project.

View Project Plans(PDF, 670KB)

Dan Estranero, Associate Professional Engineer (831) 420-5189

This project proposes a 10‐12 foot wide multi‐use trail along Swanton Blvd, from West Cliff to Delaware, and along Delaware to Natural Bridges Drive. Improved lighting, curb ramps, islands, signs and striping are proposed at the intersection. This project fills a missing gap between West Cliff Drive and Mission Street Extension, providing improved and safer access to many public, commercial and residential activity centers. This multi‐use trail is adjacent to Natural Bridges State Park and State Parks is supportive of the project.

In December 2022 this project was awarded $2.97 million in Active Transportation Program grant funding through the California Transportation Commission.

Estimated construction date: July 2027 - November 2027

View Project Concept Plans(PDF, 22MB)

Water Street between North Branciforte and Poplar Avenues was identified as a priority for improvements in the Active Transportation Plan and the Safety Action Plan. The project aims to improve safety for everyone using the roadway, including students traveling to Branciforte Middle School. 

The Water Street Safety Project includes separated bike lanes, pedestrian and bus stop improvements, and improvements to the intersection of Water Street and Poplar Avenue. There are several design options for both Water Street and Poplar Avenue, which are shown in the designs below. Comments on the design alternatives can be sent to Amelia Conlen, Transportation Planner. This project will be reviewed by the Transportation and Public Works Commission meeting on October 19. 

This project is funded by a grant through the Highways Safety Improvement Program. 

• Anticipated Construction: Fall 2027
• Cost: $416,000
• Contact: Amelia Conlen, Transportation Planner (831) 420-5423

View Water St. Striping Options(PDF, 1MB)

View Poplar Ave. Striping Options(PDF, 1MB)

Project Overview: This project upgrades storm drain infrastructure along Center Street and Cedar Street in downtown Santa Cruz. Improvements are designed to reduce localized flooding during heavy rain while improving pedestrian access and street safety. Work focuses on modernizing existing stormwater and related street features.

Timeline: June 2026 - October 2026

Estimated Cost: $975,000

Contact: Antonio DeWitt-Hernandez, (831)-420-5131, adewitt-hernandez@santacruzca.gov

View Project Plans(PDF, 7MB)

View Project Specs(PDF, 767KB)

Project Overview: This project upgrades sanitary sewer infrastructure along Laurent St from Mission St to California St. The improvements aim to modernize sewer infrastructure in order to extend the service life of the sewer system, improve maintenance operations, implement permanent repairs to damaged sections, and improve existing street pavement conditions in the area.

• Estimated Cost: $2.34M
• Construction Timeline: July 2025 - April 2026
• Contact: Hoi Yu, Senior Professional Engineer, yu@santacruzca.gov, (831)420-5427

View Project Plans(PDF, 4MB)

View Project Specifications(PDF, 2MB)

The Wastewater Treatment Facility’s electrical distribution system has reached the end of its service life and needs to be replaced. The new system will improve resiliency with a complete main distribution loop and modernize emergency standby generators.

Estimated Cost: $91,000,000

Construction Timeline: 2028-2030

Project Contact: Chris Nutley - cnutley@santacruzca.gov; 831-420-5329

View the Noitice of Intent(PDF, 143KB)

View the Mitigated Negative Declaration(PDF, 45MB)

City Council Meeting  of 6/28/2022

Chris Nutley, Engineering Associate and Phone (831) 420 - 5160 

The regional Santa Cruz Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF) serves over 130,000 residents and treats an average wastewater flow of 10 million gallons per day from City and County Collection Systems. City flow enters the WWTF through the Headworks Area. The WWTF was originally built in 1928 and the Headworks is over 55 years old. Deterioration of mechanical and structural components of the Headworks area was identified in the WWTF Infrastructure and Major Equipment Study as the No.1 priority project. Further condition assessment work identified deficiencies in the headworks vault, 60-inch influent pipe, influent box, meter vault, influent pump station wet well, pumps, motors, and bar screen structure. 

Project cost: $22,000,000

Estimated construction: February 2025 to December 2027

Development of a regional masterplan for the Wastewater Treatment Facility to address future treatment and growth needs.

Estimated Cost: $1,900,000 

Construction Timeline: Fall 2024 - Fall 2026

Project Contact: Kevin Crossley - kcrossley@santacruzca.gov; 831-420-5164

Katie Stewart, Senior Professional Engineer (831) 420-5442   

As part of the Soquel Creek Water District’s Pure Water Soquel project, a Title 22 treatment facility is being built at the City of Santa Cruz Wastewater Facility. The Title 22 facility will provide over 200,000 gallons per day of water for onsite use at the wastewater facility. In the future that same facility may provide water for offsite use.

Cost estimate for the entire Pure Water Soquel project including all of the construction elements outlined at www.soquelcreekwater.org/184/Pure-Water-Soquel is $9 million.

Estimated completion: January 2026