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Santa Rosa gives summer construction update: slurry, arterial repaving and park projects set to start
Summary
Transportation and Public Works Director Dan Hennessy updated the council on streets, park projects and Measure‑funded priorities; slurry seal and arterial repaving are scheduled this summer and the city is applying to regional grant programs for active transportation and emergency access projects.
Dan Hennessy, director of Transportation and Public Works, briefed the City Council on summer capital projects that are beginning or moving to construction, including residential slurry treatments, arterial repaving, park renovations and creek restoration work.
Hennessy said the residential pavement maintenance program will begin in the coming weeks on west side streets north of Guerneville and south of Pioneer, continuing north toward Jack London Elementary and San Miguel. Arterial repaving on Steele Lane, Dutton Avenue and College Avenue is expected to start in August and will include opportunities for safety improvements, crosswalk and bicycle lane work.
Work in the Roseland area, including South Avenue and West Hearn Avenue, will proceed under a county contract, Hennessy said; South Avenue pavement has been a longstanding concern and the team hopes the repaving and corresponding aesthetic improvements will help the area. Parks projects moving to construction include Dutch Floor Park (notice to proceed issued pending insurance), Kiwanis Springs Community Garden (bids planned), South Davis Park playground and upgrades at Howarth and Gowland parks for tennis and pickleball.
Hennessy reported that Colgan Creek restoration (Phase 3) is under way with fencing and site prep; the work will connect trail sections near the Kern Community Hub and nearby development. He also said material and site work are progressing for fleet hoist projects funded by prior council actions.
Hennessy told council that with the contracts approved or expected this summer, the city will award more contracts in 2025 than during all of 2024 and expects to reach combined 2023–2024 award levels by September — a notable acceleration in capital delivery. He estimated total contract awards and capital spending approaching low nine figures for 2025, a figure Vice Mayor Alvarez described as “pumping nine figures into the local economy.”
He flagged a proposed shared‑use path on the Farmers Lane extension that could serve as both a walking/biking route and an emergency access/evacuation path. That project and nine others were presented for potential submittal to the Sonoma County Transportation Authority (SCTA) for regional funding under prioritized criteria: proximity to schools/parks, high injury network corridors, climate resilience and economic development support.
Councilmembers asked about start dates, firebreak considerations, sidewalk work and Measure DD funding. Hennessy said some active transportation design work aims to create pieces of asphalt or concrete that can function as fire breaks, though dedicated firebreak funding was not included and would depend on grants. He said sidewalks are not included in the immediate repaving scope for some streets and that Measure DD funding is being deployed (council members referenced an approximate amount the public has previously seen). Hennessy promised a fuller capital improvement program briefing in August on a less busy council night.
Ending
Council thanked Hennessy and his team. Staff will return in August with a more comprehensive capital improvement update and will finalize SCTA grant applications in early August.
