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Capitola council approves $1.7 million plan to rehabilitate 41st Avenue, add bicycle and pedestrian safety features
Summary
The City of Capitola authorized a $1.7 million construction budget and directed staff to advertise bids for the 41st Avenue pavement rehabilitation and multimodal improvements project, which includes partial-depth pavement recycling, ADA ramp upgrades and separated bikeway elements largely within Caltrans right-of-way.
The Capitola City Council voted unanimously Feb. 12 to approve the plan specifications and a $1,700,000 construction budget for the 41st Avenue pavement rehabilitation and multimodal improvements project and authorized the Department of Public Works to advertise for bids.
Public Works Director Khan told the council the project—largely within Caltrans right-of-way—focuses on restoring pavement integrity with partial-depth recycling, upgrading ADA curb ramps, refreshing striping and adding pedestrian and bicycle safety treatments. Khan said the city has secured required Caltrans encroachment permits and has expended about $350,000 on permitting and preconstruction work; approximately $1.7 million remains in this fiscal-year funding package. The engineers’ estimate ranges from $1.6 million to $2.1 million.
The design includes enhanced green conflict striping through intersections, a leading pedestrian interval to make crosswalk users more visible, and a form of separated bikeway protection that uses a continuous curb rather than removable pylons. Khan said those curbs are intended to be replaceable if struck and that the design had to conform to Caltrans standards.
Councilmembers pressed staff about safety tradeoffs in the segment near the Capitola Mall, where the bike lane shifts to a lane between moving traffic. Khan said staff and the RTC bicycle technical advisory group debated options and the traffic consultant recommended the mid-lane alignment; fully curbside bike lanes would likely require a no-right-turn-on-red restriction to keep turning vehicles from conflicting with bicyclists.
The council also approved a two-part bid approach—base bid plus add alternate—so the city can ensure awardability for the worst-condition section (Gross Road up to the city limits) even if bids exceed available funds for the full corridor.
The motion to approve the specifications and advertise for bids was made by Councilmember Austin and seconded by Councilmember Jensen; Mayor Morgan called the voice vote and the motion passed unanimously. Staff indicated most construction will occur at night to limit daytime congestion and that the city will coordinate with Caltrans on regional traffic impacts.
Bids will be returned to staff for award consistent with the approved budget and the council will see any recommended contract award according to the city’s procurement rules.
