Caltrans underpass murals idea draws strong public support and questions about cost, permits and maintenance

Seaside — A proposal to place murals on Caltrans bridge bents at the Fremont/Highway 1 interchange prompted robust public support Thursday, followed by extended council scrutiny about permitting, cost and multiagency coordination.

Council Member Miller said preliminary outreach to Caltrans had suggested the agency might permit murals on the collection of concrete 'bents' and abutment walls at the interchange. Caltrans' transportation‑art program does permit artwork on certain right‑of‑way structures, Miller said, and the council received multiple public speakers urging the city to pursue beautification of the gateway into Seaside.

But questions quickly piled up. Council members, staff and residents asked whether Caltrans’ preliminary approval constituted a binding commitment, who would select and pay artists, whether the project would require road or transit closures for installation, how ongoing maintenance and graffiti removal would be financed, and which agencies (Sand City, Caltrans, MST) must sign off on multi‑jurisdictional canvases. Several speakers recommended phased work and grant seeking to avoid large upfront costs; a Selenas example cited by speakers used a now‑closed state grant program that previously funded dozens of beautification projects.

Staff said Caltrans had indicated concept‑level interest but had not issued final permits. Staff were directed to research likely cost ranges (the council discussed possibilities from a few thousand dollars for a small 'welcome' painting to several hundred thousand for multi‑panel murals), available grant programs, Caltrans encroachment procedures, insurance and safety requirements, and any partnership potential with Sand City or MST. The Neighborhood Improvement Commission is expected to review and recommend priorities during its upcoming budget discussions; the council requested staff return with a feasibility memo for council consideration.

Public speakers emphasized the potential safety and livability benefits of well‑maintained, deliberately designed underpass art, but cautioned that transient encampments and recurring trash in the area mean maintenance and public‑space management must be part of any long‑term plan.

What’s next: staff will scope likely permitting steps, preliminary cost scenarios and potential funding sources, and report back to the council and the NIC before any formal appropriation or project approval.