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Ridgecrest public works eyes $8.9M transit hub, Felspar repaving and wastewater final design; slurry miles continue
Summary
Public Works outlined major projects for FY26 including an $8.9 million Felspar/Norma transit‑hub and road rehabilitation package, plans to widen and repave sections of Mahan, continued slurry program maintenance, and near‑completion of wastewater treatment plant design pending electrical/power solutions.
Public Works staff presented a slate of capital and maintenance priorities for FY26 focused on arterial repaving, drainage, transit infrastructure and completion of the wastewater treatment plant design.
Staff asked council to consider an approximately $8.9 million infrastructure project to build a transit hub near Mojave View Apartments, reprofile Norm a, pave Felspar from La Paloma to China Lake Boulevard (more than a mile), add curb, gutter and a class‑4 bike path and construct a larger storm sump to address persistent drainage issues that remain from past storm events.
The department’s crews completed 6.5 lane miles of slurry seal in the prior year and staff said the FY26 plan will continue that program while targeting higher‑priority arterials for stronger treatment (including rubberized or higher‑flexibility asphalt on heavily traveled sections). Staff described a living five‑year pavement plan adjusted for changing road conditions and noted the role of grant funding (RSTP, HSIP and others) to extend the city’s paving capacity.
Mahan Road widening and reprofiling was presented as a near‑term arterial safety project; staff said county permission allowed use of a portion of county right‑of‑way in exchange for city maintenance of the added section. Public Works also outlined plans for additional slurry and asphalt repairs, increased in‑house striping capability and new equipment to speed prep work and reduce contractor reliance.
On wastewater, staff said design is roughly 99.5 percent complete and they are in discussions with the Navy and electrical providers to secure a power solution — a key contingency before environmental studies and final construction procurement move forward. Staff emphasized that biological and environmental studies would be timed to avoid needing to re‑do them if the electrical solution changes.
Transit staff outlined service improvements and a migration to new dispatching and scheduling software to better optimize trips, and said the city expects to pursue grants that may fund replacement buses and support a move toward zero‑emission vehicles in the longer term.
Public Works staff said they would return with contract recommendations for the large Felspar/Norma project and continue to coordinate with parks, transit and police on staging and traffic control during construction.
