City plans transformative bike and housing projects for Bay Street

In a recent government meeting, officials discussed significant advancements in local transportation and housing projects, fueled by state grants aimed at enhancing community infrastructure. The city has secured funding from the Affordable Housing Sustainable Communities Grant and an IIG grant, which will support improvements in both transportation and housing—two areas identified as closely interconnected.

Key projects highlighted include the ongoing enhancements along Bay Street, where plans for a two-way bike lane from Escalona to West Cliff are in development. Collaboration with Caltrans is underway to integrate these improvements into their upcoming 2027 project. The city is also exploring the installation of roundabouts at critical intersections to improve traffic flow and safety.

Concerns were raised regarding potential overlaps in construction schedules, particularly with the Murray Street Bridge project and the Soquel Avenue improvements. Officials assured that efforts are being made to minimize disruptions to eastbound traffic during construction phases.

The meeting also addressed the challenges faced by the city’s engineering team, which consists of approximately nine to ten engineers managing multiple projects simultaneously. Discussions included budget adjustments for segments of ongoing projects, with expectations for clearer financial forecasts by the end of the year.

Additionally, the city is considering natural feature restoration along West Cliff, responding to community feedback on previous hard wall installations. A 50-year vision for West Cliff has been adopted, emphasizing limited armoring and adaptive pathways to enhance resilience against environmental challenges.

The meeting concluded with acknowledgments of the city's efforts to navigate complex construction challenges and community engagement, highlighting the importance of collaboration in achieving successful project outcomes.