Council leans toward one-way design for Norton Street to fix drainage and emergency access

City public works manager Tim Caber (speaker 10) presented a design update for the Norton Street rehabilitation project, saying the corridor has a 32-foot right-of-way, failing pavement and drainage problems; Cal Water must lower century-old water mains before construction can proceed.

Caber described two design approaches: a two-way street with constrained travel width or a one-way configuration (north-to-south from Montgomery toward Bridge Street) that would provide a single 20–25 foot travel lane and allow curb, gutter and a linear storm drain to capture sheet flow. "If I make it one-way ... theres only gonna be one car in the travel lane at any time," he said, noting the one-way layout would mitigate head-on conflicts and give space for emergency vehicles to pass.

Council members pressed staff on neighborhood outreach and parking impacts. Council member Gibson suggested the one-way option would give more flexibility for parking and drainage; Caber said he had spoken with residents in the field and that neighbors generally favored the one-way plan so they would not lose parking.

Council expressed support for moving forward with the one-way option and asked staff to document neighbor feedback and prepare final design work that coordinates Cal Waters planned mains replacement. The project remains tied to SB-1 funding the city previously allocated for road projects; staff said construction is delayed until Cal Water adjustments are complete and that design will continue ahead of a likely fall construction window.