Camarillo to reimburse Caltrans for relocating water mains tied to SR‑34 project; city to pay roughly $730,000

City staff briefed the Camarillo City Council on Nov. 12 about a Caltrans highway improvement project along State Route 34 (Lewis Road) that conflicts with city‑owned drinking water pipelines. The city and Caltrans collaborated on a plan in which Caltrans will include the water‑main relocation in its bid package and perform the physical relocation work.

Eric Maple, the city’s water resources manager, told council that using Caltrans’ contractors accelerates coordination and reduces duplication of traffic control and staging. He presented staff’s recommendation that the city authorize a utility agreement under which the city reimburses Caltrans approximately $60,000 for design costs and an estimated $670,000 for construction relocation once the work is complete. Maple said the construction estimate is the current bid estimate and subject to change after Caltrans formally bids the project.

When asked who would pay, Maple confirmed the city will reimburse Caltrans from the city’s water enterprise funds: “The city will be paying Caltrans out of our own water funds for relocating our pipelines ... The rest of the work is all paid by Caltrans.” Council members sought timing details and traffic‑impact information; staff said construction could affect Lewis Road traffic and that staff will continue coordination and public notification as details are confirmed.

Council authorized the city manager to execute the utility agreement and related documents with Caltrans by unanimous vote. Staff recorded next steps to finalize agreement language and to provide public notices and traffic coordination prior to construction.