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 800 West Cliff Drive Road Realignment Design project aims to reroute a 400 foot section of West Cliff Drive inland near a vulnerable portion of the coastline that was damaged in the December 2023 and January 2024 storm events. The new road alignment would be located on property that is currently part of Lighthouse Field State Beach Park. The added road set back would provide a buffer for the road to account for the anticipated natural erosion of the area based on 50 and 100 year erosion models.

Construction: May 2026 - December 2026

Cost: $1,800,000

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

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 Bay Corridor improvements between West Cliff and California 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, new intersection configurations at California, Laguna, and West Cliff, transit boarding islands and new crossings. It's being paired with a future city paving project.

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.

Construction: July 2026 - December 2027

Cost: $1,000,000

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

Review Concept Plans(PDF, 20MB)

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.

Construction: December 2026 - December 2027

Cost: $4,000,000

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

Review Concept Plans

Review Concept Plans(PDF, 4MB)

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: Summer 2025 with the pavement maintenance project

California Street to Mission Street (Two Phases)

Features

• Two-way Separated Bike Lane adjacent to Bay View Elementary
• Coordination with Santa Cruz METRO on transit boarding islands and stop consolidation
• Connectivity to Coastal Rail Trail and Bay View Elementary

Estimated Schedule

• Phase 1 connects to Bay View Elementary in with a Caltrans project in 2026/27
• Phase 2 connects Bay View Elementary to Mission Street with a Caltrans project in 2026/27

Mission Street to Escalona Drive

Features

• Two-way Separated Bike Lane adjacent to Bay View Elementary
• Changes at the Bay Street/Mission Street signalized intersection to improve multimodal access across state highway in coordination with Caltrans
• Connection between two-way Separated Bike Lane and one-way Separated Bike Lane at King Street or Escalona Drive

Estimated Schedule: Summer 2026

Escalona Drive to Nobel Drive

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

Estimated Schedule: Spring 2025 with the pavement rehabilitation project

Nobel Drive to High Street

Features

• Improved multimodal connectivity to UCSC
• Separated bike lanes
• Coordination with transit

Estimated Schedule: Summer 2026

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)

Build sidewalks on both sides of Laurel Street between King Street and Escalona Drive where none are currently present.

Estimated Design: 2026

Estimated Construction: 2027

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 2026 - November 2026

View Project Concept Plans(PDF, 22MB)

Water Street from Branciforte Ave to Poplar Ave was identified in the Local Roadway Safety Plan and Active Transportation Plan for safety and bicycling improvements. Separated bike lanes are funded by a Highway Safety Improvement Program Grant to achieve those results.

Construction: September 2025 - December 2029

Cost: $416,000

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

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: Summer 2026

Estimated Cost: $975,000

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

View Project Plans(PDF, 148MB)

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: Katie Stewart - kstewart@santacruzca.gov; 831-420-5442

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