Orinda council approves Camino Pablo median openings and awards $202,085 landscaping contract

The Orinda City Council approved design and construction for two median openings on Camino Pablo intended for emergency evacuations and awarded a construction contract to Marina Landscape Inc. for $202,085.

City staff said the project traces to a January 2023 recommendation in the general-plan safety element to create additional access to eastbound Highway 24 for large evacuation events. Staff described a plan to remove concrete, place asphalt and use removable 3-foot bollards that meet Caltrans standards so the openings are normally closed but removable in emergencies. The presentation noted the entire area is within Caltrans right-of-way and will require Caltrans approval.

The council discussed landscaping around the openings and Caltrans's restriction that plants in the right-of-way be no greater than 3 feet tall. Staff said the project team worked with the Garden Club and will add a third drought-tolerant plant variety, update irrigation across the median and use low-water species including manzanita, a drought-tolerant grass and a third flowering variety, with rock used as a low-water groundcover.

No public speakers addressed the item. After questions and support from multiple council members praising the interagency work, a council member moved to approve the item and the motion carried unanimously.

The contract award and design approval are intended to improve evacuation routing while balancing Caltrans landscaping constraints and community aesthetics. Staff said implementation will follow Caltrans review and the city's standard construction management processes.