HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-01-27; City Council; 02; Semiannual Transportation ReportCA Review TL
Meeting Date: Jan. 27, 2026
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Geoff Patnoe, City Manager
Staff Contact: Tom Frank, Transportation Director/City Engineer
tom.frank@carlsbadca.gov, 442-339-2766
Subject: Semiannual Transportation Report
Districts: All
Recommended Action
Receive the Semiannual Transportation Report.
Executive Summary
In 2018, the City Council asked staff to present updates twice a year on projects to improve local
streets and traffic flow in Carlsbad. This report provides an update on work over the last six
months from July 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2025.
Staff are working on approximately 50 projects in the five-year Capital Improvement Program
that are in various stages of completion, from early feasibility and planning to finishing up
construction.
Explanation & Analysis
The Transportation Department is responsible for managing roadways to keep people moving
and drainage systems to convey stormwater flows. The city’s Capital Improvement Program
includes over 100 projects focused on managing the city’s street and drainage infrastructure,
ranging from coordinating traffic signal timing and slowing down traffic in neighborhoods to
redesigning streets to meet modern standards outlined in the Mobility Element in the city’s
General Plan, the section focused on transportation.
Consistent with the City Council’s Strategic Plan, the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Capital Improvement
Program budget includes a more focused list of higher priority projects.
Over the past few months, the City Council has provided direction to staff to revise the scope of
a few high priority projects to improve mobility conditions while focusing on safety, cost
effectiveness, shortening project delivery times and improving parking availability.
Barrio traffic calming – The City Council considered design options on July 29, 2025, and
Sept. 9, 2025, and ultimately approved a revised project scope that includes additional
stop signs, a raised crosswalk and high visibility crosswalks at selected locations and one
Jan. 27, 2026 Item #2 Page 1 of 16
traffic circle at Pine Avenue and Harding Street. The award of the construction contract
will be considered as a separate item at this City Council meeting.
Terramar area coastal improvements – The City Council considered options for
intersection and street improvements on Oct. 28, 2025, and approved a smaller scale
project that will include resurfacing, restriping and sidewalk improvements with no
roundabout or lane reductions.
Kelly Drive and Park Drive Improvements – The City Council considered two options
without roundabouts on Dec. 9, 2025. The City Council approved the option that
included two near-term improvements of a red curb adjacent to the Kelly Elementary
School parking lot entrance and median striping changes near the exit from the parking
lot and development of a Safe Routes to School Plan for Kelly Elementary School.
Past six-month accomplishments summary:
The following section highlights some of the Transportation Department’s efforts to ensure the
safety and convenience of all road users:
•Construction continues for the El Camino Real Widening from Sunny Creek Road to
Jackspar Drive Project
•Completed design, obtained approval from the California Department of
Transportation to advertise for bids and prepared the construction documents for
award of the El Camino Real Widening from Poinsettia Lane to Camino Vida Roble
Project
•Completed construction of the 2023 Slurry Seal Project for 38 miles of streets, including
removing the ceramic domes on the traffic circles on Kelly Drive at the Park Drive and
Hillside Drive intersections, resealing the street and restriping it to current striping
standards
•Circulated environmental documents and continued to obtain permits for the Avenida
Encinas Coastal Rail Trail and Pedestrian Improvements Project, Segment 3
•Initiated construction for the Beach Access Repairs and Upgrades from Pine Avenue to
Tamarack Avenue Project, which will pause during the summer moratorium and
resume in the fall
•Completed engineering design and continued with property acquisition, circulated
environmental documents and continued to obtain permits for the El Camino Real
Widening from Arenal Road to La Costa Avenue Project
•Prepared and processed several annual reports to various transportation agencies
including the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), Caltrans and California
Transportation Commission to secure funding for transportation projects
•Presented and received approval of a grant amendment request from the SANDAG
Board on the Carlsbad Boulevard and Tamarack Avenue Intersection Improvements
Project to retain approximately $453,000 of an active transportation grant. On Dec. 2,
2025, the City Council approved the grant terms, which included returning any
reimbursed funds up to the remaining grant amount of approximately $453,000 if the
project is not completed by Nov. 8, 2028
•Initiated construction activities on the Barrio Lighting Phase 2 Project
Jan. 27, 2026 Item #2 Page 2 of 16
•Revised the design, adopted plans, specifications and contract documents, advertised
for construction bids and identified the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for
the Barrio Traffic Calming Project
•Initiated design for the Village Lighting Project on State, Madison, Roosevelt and
Washington streets as the first phase of projects to improve pedestrian lighting as
proposed in the 2019 Carlsbad Village Decorative Lighting Study Report
•Initiated design for the Tyler Street Sidewalk Improvements Project
•Presented options and received direction from the City Council for the Kelly Drive and
Park Drive Complete Street Improvements Project to develop a Safe Routes to School
Plan for Kelly Elementary School to identify long-term street and mobility
improvements
•Completed two near-term improvements along Kelly Elementary School frontage. This
includes restriping of the median to discourage left turns from the school exit driveway
and adding a dedicated right-turn queue lane along the southbound curb on Kelly Drive
to improve traffic circulation
•Obtained a consolidated coastal development permit from the California Coastal
Commission and a streambed alteration agreement from the California Department of
Fish and Wildlife to perform long-term channel maintenance for the Buena Vista Creek
Channel District
•Performed annual vegetation clearing and trash removal for the Buena Vista Creek
Channel Maintenance District and coordinated with the California Department of Fish
and Wildlife.
•Performed channel maintenance in the Agua Hedionda Creek between the bridges of
Cannon Road and El Camino Real, and obtained a streambed alteration agreement
from the Department of Fish and Wildlife for long-term channel maintenance
•Advanced the environmental review and permitting for the concrete-lined section of
the Buena Vista Creek for that channel maintenance project and researched expanding
the project’s footprint eastward to the bridge at Haymar Drive
•Performed video inspections of storm drains as part of the 2025 Storm Drain Condition
Assessment Program, which identifies locations in need of repair and rehabilitation
•Continued with the engineering design phase of the 2023-24 Surface Drainage
Improvement Project
•Identified and prioritized storm drain systems throughout the city for replacement
and/or repair based on previously completed drainage assessments
•Completed 90% of the engineering design and resubmitted the coastal development
permit application for the Merwin Drive Drainage Improvements
•Advanced engineering design, environmental and geotechnical studies for the State
Street Regional Trash Capture Best Management Practices Project
•Researched habitat mitigation opportunities citywide to support the city’s Capital
Improvement Program and maintenance projects
•Continued to provide drainage engineering and flood control support to the Land
Development Engineering Division in the Community Development Department and
reviewed several civil improvements and drainage plans of private development
projects
Jan. 27, 2026 Item #2 Page 3 of 16
•Obtained permit approvals and performed maintenance activities and inspections to
assess the drainage system at the Gabbiano Lane outfall
•Continued to update and add asset inventory data associated with transportation,
drainage, facilities, and parks and recreation assets
•Continued the engineering phase of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Transition Plan and 2024 ADA Improvements Project
•Completed the pilot contract for concrete sidewalk slicing repairs
•Continued with preliminary design of the ADA Beach Access Ramps Project
•Initiated construction of the 2025 Concrete Repair Project to replace damaged
sidewalks, curb and gutters and install ADA-compliant pedestrian ramps
•Completed annual monitoring and surveying for 14 Carlsbad employers that are
required to comply with the city’s Transportation Demand Management ordinance,
which is intended to reduce the number of single-occupant vehicle trips by businesses
in Carlsbad
•Developed roadway improvement plans for Tamarack Avenue as part of the Hope
Elementary Safe Routes to School project, as recommended by the Traffic Safety and
Mobility Commission
•Completed the 2024 Active Transportation Monitoring Report with a presentation to
the Traffic Safety and Mobility Commission
•Engaged the community and the Traffic Safety and Mobility Commission to gather
feedback on the City Council minute motions proposing new e-bike regulations,
including restrictions on e-bike use for riders under 12
•Received approval for the FY 2025-26 Traffic Safety and Mobility Commission Work
Plan
•Provided feedback to SANDAG through participation in the SANDAG Mobility Working
Group, including efforts related to the 2025 SANDAG Regional, Flexible Fleets
initiatives, Regional Transportation Demand Management and the LOSSAN1 Rail
Realignment Value Analysis Study
•Began developing the project scope for the Carlsbad Traffic Safety Improvements
Project, which includes high-visibility crosswalks and speed cushions around schools
and was funded by a federal grant
•Finalized plans, specifications and contract documents for adoption and advertised for
bids of the Faraday Avenue Improvements Project associated with the Veterans
Memorial Park Project
•Continued designing pedestrian and bike improvements on Paseo Del Norte, south of
Palomar Airport Road, which are to be funded by a state grant
•Initiated Carlsbad Residential Traffic Management Program Phase II process for traffic
calming on Unicornio Street and Celinda Drive
•Continued working with other city departments to develop an update to the
Carlsbad Residential Traffic Management Program
1 The Los-Angeles-San Diego-San Luis Obispo Rail Corridor, or the LOSSAN Corridor, is the major rail line in
Southern California that connects San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles, and San Diego, supporting both passenger and
freight services. In the City of Carlsbad, the corridor runs parallel to the coastline, serving the Carlsbad Village and
Carlsbad Poinsettia stations.
Jan. 27, 2026 Item #2 Page 4 of 16
•Continued efforts to identify opportunities for additional parking spaces in the Barrio,
including a conceptual design to convert parallel parking to perpendicular parking on
Chestnut Avenue east of Madison Street which the City Council approved as part of the
Barrio Parking Improvements Project, a new Capital Improvement Program project
•Worked with Caltrans to expand coordination between signals adjacent to the
Interstate 5 ramp signals at Poinsettia Lane
•Completed signal communications upgrades on Rancho Santa Fe Road to replace
copper interconnect with fiber optic cabling
•Continued equipment upgrades at various traffic signals to replace old infrastructure
and improve vehicle and bicycle detection
•Continued audible pedestrian systems installations at several traffic signals to make
them more ADA-accessible
•Continued to evaluate data to better understand transportation patterns on city streets
•Completed over 7,202 utility mark-outs to locate underground utilities
•Replaced 290 induction streetlights with efficient LED light fixtures
•Responded to 578 graffiti abatement calls
•Removed and replaced 73,791 square feet of asphalt and concrete on streets and
sidewalks
•Repaired more than 510 street sign that were knocked down or faded and refreshed
1,951 street paint lines and legends
•Logged 6,541 individual inspection service requests of city street and storm drain assets
Anticipated progress in the next six months:
•Continue with design and construction of priority projects included in the
Transportation Department Capital Improvement Program Project Status Update as of
Dec. 31, 2025 (Exhibit 1)
•Complete construction of the El Camino Real Widening from Sunny Creek Road to
Jackspar Drive Project
•Begin construction of the El Camino Real Widening from Poinsettia Lane to Camino
Vida Roble Project
•Begin construction of the Barrio Pedestrian Lighting Phase II Project
•Award a construction contract and initiate construction of the Barrio Traffic Calming
Project
•Continue construction of the Beach Access Repairs and Upgrades from Pine Avenue to
Tamarack Avenue Project
•Request City Council adoption of plans, specifications and contract documents and
authorization to bid for construction of the 2025 Streets Resurfacing Project
•Request City Council adoption of plans, specifications and contract documents and
authorization to bid for construction of the 2025 Parking Lot Repair Project
•Complete conceptual design and advance final design on the design of the Village
Lighting Project
•Initiate efforts to develop the Safe Route to School Plan for Kelly Elementary
School as part of the Kelly Drive and Park Drive Complete Street Improvements
Project
Jan. 27, 2026 Item #2 Page 5 of 16
• Initiate design of the trail just east of College Boulevard between Bobcat Boulevard and
Carlsbad Village Drive and a proposed sidewalk on Alga Road east of El Camino Real
• Prepare conceptual designs and reach out to the community for input on sidewalk
options for the Terramar Area Coastal Improvements Project
• Request City Council adoption of plans, specifications and contract documents and
authorization to advertise for bids to construct the 2025 Bridge Preventative
Maintenance Project
• Complete environmental studies, geotechnical and engineering design for the Regional
Trash Capture Best Management Practices Project near the State Street discharge
• Continue with engineering design and environmental submittal for the Drainage
Master Plan Facility BFB-U, El Camino Real Channel Restoration Project
• Request City Council adoption of plans, specifications and contract documents and
authorization to advertise for bids to construct storm drain improvement projects
• Perform regular channel maintenance for the Buena Vista Creek Channel Maintenance
District in coordination with the Department of Fish and Wildlife
• Perform regular channel maintenance in the Agua Hedionda Creek between El Camino
Real and Cannon Road in coordination with the Department Of Fish and Wildlife
• Continue to coordinate with the City of Oceanside and regulatory agencies to advance
a long-term maintenance strategy for the Buena Vista Creek Channel Maintenance
Project
• Complete inspection of the Gabbiano Lane storm drain system
• Continue completing a variety of annual reports to various transportation agencies
including SANDAG, Caltrans and the California Transportation Commission to secure
funding for transportation projects
• Continue to provide updates to the city’s GIS inventory data associated with
transportation, drainage, facilities, and parks and recreation assets
• Complete engineering design for Phase 2 of the 2025 Surface Drainage Improvements
Project
• Complete engineering design for the 2024 ADA Improvements Project
• Circulate the Drainage Master Plan Update to the Planning Division for review and
present to the Planning Commission and the City Council to its approval and adoption
• Complete engineering design for the 2024 Sidewalk Construction Project
• Continue design for the ADA Beach Access Ramps Project
• Initiate the engineering design for the 2025 Storm Drain Replacement/Repair Project
• Survey and repair sidewalks in high-pedestrian traffic areas such as the Village, along
the sea wall and near schools
• Initiate discussion of long-term maintenance and management of the city-owned
stormwater basins
• Reached out to Carlsbad area school districts to identify additional schools for the FY
2025-26 Safe Routes to School Plans and develop conceptual plans for Buena Vista
Elementary School
• Finalize the annual Growth Management Plan Circulation Section Report
• Complete and present to the City Council the citywide Active Transportation
Monitoring Report
Jan. 27, 2026 Item #2 Page 6 of 16
• Begin updates to the city’s Transportation Impact Analysis Guidelines
• Complete design of the traffic calming plan for Unicornio Street
• Continue the effort on Carlsbad Residential Traffic Management Program Phase II
process for Celinda Drive
• Complete and present to City Council the revisions to the Carlsbad Residential Traffic
Management Program
• Finalize the Barrio Parking Study to review parking opportunities on Madison Street,
Pine Avenue and Palm Avenue
• Begin engineering design to convert parallel to perpendicular parking on Chestnut
Avenue east of Madison Street
• Begin review of the opportunity to convert parallel to diagonal parking on Grand
Avenue in the Village
• Continue design of the Carlsbad Boulevard and Tamarack Avenue Intersection
Improvements Project
• Continue design of the Tyler Street Sidewalk Improvements Project
• Initiate construction of the Faraday Avenue Improvements Project with the Veterans
Memorial Park Project
• Initiate preliminary engineering on the near-term improvements on Jefferson
Elementary School and Sage Creek High School Safe Routes to School Plans
• Complete final design of the Traffic Signal Improvements at Maverick Way and Camino
De Los Coches Project
Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission
The Semiannual Transportation Report was received by the Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission
on Jan. 5, 2026.
Fiscal Analysis
This item is a presentation on the work related to management of the city’s transportation
assets, and it has no fiscal impact.
Next Steps
The next semiannual transportation report will be presented in July 2026.
Environmental Evaluation
The proposed action is not a “project” as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act, or
CEQA, Section 21065 and CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5) and does not require
environment review under CEQA Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) and 15061(b)(3), because the
proposed action to receive the Transportation Semiannual Report is an organizational or
administrative government activity that does not involve any commitment to any specific
project which may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment. Any
subsequent action or direction stemming from the proposed action may require preparation of
an environmental document in accordance with CEQA or the CEQA Guidelines.
Exhibit
1. Transportation Department Capital Improvement Program project status update as of Dec.
31, 2025
Jan. 27, 2026 Item #2 Page 7 of 16
Exhibit 1
Transportation Department Capital Improvement Program (CIP)
Project Status Update as of Dec. 31, 2025
The Transportation Department implements improvement projects and critical major
maintenance for roadway and drainage infrastructure as part of the Capital Improvement
Program (CIP). This update highlights the status of several high priority and critical need
transportation and drainage projects.
• Pavement Management Program, CIP Project No. 6001
o This ongoing annual program is designed to extend the service life of city streets and
maintain a smooth and safe driving surface for vehicles.
The city utilizes a pavement management database to determine pavement
management needs for the purpose of establishing which streets are to be
slurry sealed, overlaid or reconstructed. On a periodic basis the conditions of
the roads are field surveyed, and the pavement management database is
updated to reflect current conditions. Each year, specific pavement
management projects are defined, and funding is programmed into a
pavement management project account.
o 2023 Slurry Seal Project: Construction on approximately 38 centerline miles is
substantially complete. Staff are evaluating some streets for possible Type 2 slurry
applications to address cracking.
o 2025 Resurfacing Project: The project is in the final design phase and will include
approximately 50 centerline miles of resurfacing.
Target schedule: Adoption of plans, specifications and contract documents
and authorization to bid (early 2026), award of construction contract (Spring
2026)
• Beach Access Repairs from Pine Avenue to Tamarack Avenue Project, CIP Project No. 3896
o This project will repair sidewalks, handrails, stairways, retaining walls and seawall.
o Construction activities began in October 2025 and will continue until the summer
moratorium when it will pause from Memorial Day to Labor Day; expected to be
completed by late spring 2027
• ADA Beach Access – Pine Avenue to Tamarack Avenue Project, CIP Project No. 6065
o This project will construct two ADA accessible ramps from street level down to the
beach near Pine Avenue and at Tamarack Avenue.
o Began 30% design phase of the project
o Target schedule: Adoption of plans, specifications and contract documents and
authorization to bid (early 2028), award of construction contract (mid-2028)
• Carlsbad Boulevard and Tamarack Avenue Intersection Improvements Project, CIP Project
No. 6058
Jan. 27, 2026 Item #2 Page 8 of 16
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o The project will provide sidewalk, pedestrian ramp and crosswalk improvements to
improve ADA access. The City Council approved a smaller scale project with limited
improvements on April 29, 2025.
o Final design and coordination with the California Coastal Commission, State Parks
and North County Transit District have been initiated
o Target schedule: Adoption of plans, specifications and contract documents and
authorization to bid (late 2026), award of construction contract (early 2027)
• El Camino Real Widening from Arenal Road to La Costa Avenue Project, CIP Project No.
6051
o The project will widen southbound El Camino Real from Arenal Road to La Costa
Avenue to prime arterial standards, add sidewalk and widen bridge
o The project involves utility relocations, right-of-way, or ROW, acquisitions,
environmental mitigation and open space boundary adjustments
o Staff have been coordinating with the Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation on the west
side of El Camino Real and acquiring necessary ROW
o ROW acquisition complete with two of four property owners
o Prepared 100%-complete improvement plans including supporting technical
documents
o Circulated environmental documents for public review
o Processed the Habitat Management Plan, or HMP Minor Amendment with resource
agency letters of approval
o Target schedule: Planning Commission (February 2026), pending property
acquisitions, adoption of plans, specifications and contract documents and
authorization to bid (mid-2026), award of construction contract (late 2026)
• Kelly Drive and Park Drive Complete Street Improvements Project, CIP Project No. 6075
o The project will improve traffic safety, pedestrian access and connectivity for cyclists
along Kelly Drive and Park Drive.
o On Dec. 9, 2025, the City Council selected the option to develop a Safe Routes to
School, or SRTS Plan for Kelly Elementary School to identify near-term and long-term
improvements.
o Target schedule: Initiate SRTS efforts (early 2026), present the identified near-term
and long-terms improvements to TS&MC and City Council for approval (early 2027)
• El Camino Real Widening from Poinsettia Lane to Camino Vida Roble Project, CIP Project
No. 6072
o The project will widen El Camino Real to city standards and provide an additional
northbound through lane from Cinnabar Way to Camino Vida Roble to increase
capacity, and add new sidewalks and medians
o Caltrans provided authorization to proceed with construction in July 2025
o Construction to begin early 2026
• El Camino Real Widening from Sunny Creek Road to Jackspar Drive Project, CIP Project
No. 6094
Jan. 27, 2026 Item #2 Page 9 of 16
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o The project will widen El Camino Real to city standards and provide an additional
northbound through lane to increase capacity and add new sidewalks
o Ongoing construction through April 2026
• Avenida Encinas Coastal Rail Trail and Pedestrian Improvements Project, CIP Project No.
6004
o The project will provide multimodal improvements including new bike lanes,
sidewalks and traffic calming features
o Target schedule:
Segment 1 (between Cannon Road and Palomar Airport Road): Completed
Segment 2 (between Poinsettia Station to Carlsbad Boulevard): Completed
Segment 3 (between Palomar Airport Road and Poinsettia Coaster Station):
• Planning Commission scheduled for January 2026
• Adoption of plans, specifications and contract documents and
authorization to bid (early 2026), award of construction contract
(summer 2026)
• Barrio Lighting Project, CIP Project No. 4013
o The project has two phases as part of the Village and Barrio Master Plan which
recommends pedestrian scale lighting for the Barrio:
Phase 1 of the project installed and energized 13 streetlights to dark areas in
the Barrio
Phase 2 of the project has $2.5 million in federal funding and will install
approximately 120 pedestrian lights in the Barrio area
o Caltrans provided authorization to proceed with construction
o Construction will begin in January 2026 with 12 months duration, target completion
early 2027
• Village and Barrio Traffic Circles Project, now Barrio Traffic Calming, CIP Project No. 4015
o The project title changed to Barrio Traffic Calming to reflect the revised scope of
improvements approved by the City Council in September 2025
o The project includes traffic calming improvements such as additional stop signs, a
raised crosswalk, high-visibility crosswalks at selected locations and a traffic circle at
Pine Avenue and Harding Street, which will include public art; water and sewer
utilities improvements are also included in this project
o In August 2025, Caltrans authorized the project to bid for construction, and in
November 2025, the City Council approved adoption of plans, specifications and
contract documents and authorization to bid
o Target schedule: Award of construction contract (January 2026) and begin
construction early 2026
• Barrio Parking Improvements, CIP Project No. 6119
o This is a new CIP project approved by the City Council on Dec. 9, 2025, to implement
new parking opportunities in the Barrio neighborhood
Jan. 27, 2026 Item #2 Page 10 of 16
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o The first project that will be initiated is the final design of perpendicular parking
spaces on Chestnut Avenue east of Madison Street
o In addition, a study will be conducted to evaluate parking opportunities on Palm
Ave, Pine Avenue and Madison Street with results to be presented to the City
Council mid-2026
• Village Lighting Project; CIP Project No. 4016
o This project will provide decorative lighting on State Street, Madison Street,
Roosevelt Street, and Washington Street, and conceptual design has been initiated.
o Target schedule: Adoption of plans, specifications and contract documents and
authorization to bid (fall 2026), award of construction contract (early 2027)
• Terramar Area Coastal Improvement Project, CIP Project No. 6054
o The project scope was revised by the City Council in October 2025, to include
resurfacing, restriping and options for sidewalks on Carlsbad Boulevard from Tierra
Del Oro Street and Manzano Drive, and resurfacing and restriping on Cannon Road
from Carlsbad Boulevard east to the railroad tracks
o Staff are initiating conceptual designs and will request community input on sidewalk
options on one or both sides of Carlsbad Boulevard in early 2026
o Target schedule: conceptual design and sidewalk options will be presented for City
Council consideration in the spring 2026
• Valley Street and Magnolia Avenue Complete Streets Project, CIP Project No. 6019
o The project will construct sidewalks, bike paths, green paint street features and
underground overhead utilities along a portion of Valley Street and Magnolia
Avenue
o The City Council approved an agreement with SDGE for utility lines undergrounding
in April 2024, and undergrounding construction was substantially completed mid-
2024
o Coordinating ongoing outreach with the Communication & Engagement Department
to property owners and the Carlsbad Unified School District and coordination on
design
o Target schedule: Pole removal for utility undergrounding to be completed by
SDGE/ATT (early 2026), adoption of plans, specifications and contract documents
and authorization to bid (late 2026), award of construction contract (early/mid-
2027)
• Buena Vista Creek Channel Maintenance Project, CIP Project No. 6619
o Long-term channel maintenance of Buena Vista Creek between the bridges of South
Vista Way and Haymar Drive
o Initiated research into potential habitat mitigation opportunities citywide and at
applicable mitigation banks
o Performed biological assessment to assess baseline conditions and existing habitat
o Engaged environmental consultant to:
Jan. 27, 2026 Item #2 Page 11 of 16
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Prepare jurisdictional permits/agreements for long-term channel
maintenance of concrete-lined section, and
Evaluate environmental permitting, habitat mitigation requirements and
costs for the earthen section
o Initiated collaboration with the City of Oceanside because part of the channel is
within their jurisdiction
o Coordinated with the jurisdictional agencies (i.e., CDFW, Regional Water Quality
Control Board and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, or USACE, on permitting
approach to long-term channel maintenance)
o Next Steps:
Prepare report summarizing potential habitat mitigation opportunities
citywide and at applicable mitigation banks (early 2026)
Prepare biology report summarizing assessment of baseline conditions and
existing habitat (early 2026)
Coordinate with jurisdictional agencies to:
• obtain jurisdictional permits/agreements from the Water Board and
CDFW for long-term channel maintenance of the concrete-lined
section of the creek (early/mid-2026)
• determine the scope, environmental permitting and habitat
mitigation requirements for long-term channel maintenance of the
earthen section
Develop a white paper on partnering with the City of Oceanside for the
earthen section of the channel, pending initial discussions targeted mid-2026
• Citywide Drainage Improvement Program; CIP Project No. 6608
o Drainage Master Plan Project BCB – Magnolia Avenue Drainage Improvements
Project: This project proposed a 30-inch diameter storm drain pipeline on Magnolia
Avenue from Brady Circle to Monroe Street; split into two separate phases that will
be constructed during the summer months due to the proximity of several nearby
schools
Phase I completed in mid-2022, constructed the main trunk of the storm
drain on Magnolia Avenue and replaced/relocated several sections of
potable water main
Phase II will provide a storm drain lateral section on Valley Street
Target schedule:
• Phase II – Adoption of plans, specifications and contract documents
and authorization to bid (early 2026), award of construction contract
(spring 2026). Aim to complete before start of the 2026 school year
(August 2026)
o 2025 Surface Drainage Improvements Project
The project improved surface drainage conditions on several streets within
the northwest quadrant area of the city. Improvements included installation
Jan. 27, 2026 Item #2 Page 12 of 16
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of concrete curbs, gutters, swales and gravel to reduce erosion and improve
drainage
Target schedule:
• Complete Phase 2a final design by early 2026
• Phase 2a: Adoption of plans, specifications and contract documents
and authorization to bid (mid-2026), award of construction contract
(late 2026)
o Merwin Drive Storm Drain Improvements Project
The project will improve surface drainage conditions and reduce the
potential for ponding on Merwin Drive during and following storm events
90% engineering design completed in November 2025
Coastal Development Permit application re-submitted November 2025
Target schedule:
• Final engineering design (early 2026)
• Environmental processing and permitting (mid-2026)
• Adoption of plans, specifications and contract documents and
authorization to bid (mid-2026)
• Award of construction contract (late 2026)
• Drainage Master Plan Update, CIP Project No. 6623
o Project provides updates to the city’s 2008 Drainage Master Plan, or DMP including
updating the list of master planned projects, creating a new fee schedule and
amending existing Programmatic Environmental Impact Report, or PEIR, document
o Local Coastal Permit, or LCP, application for Planning Division review (late 2025)
o Target schedule – Final environmental document and Final DMP (early 2026), City
Council adoption of the Drainage Master Plan update (May 2026)
• Agua Hedionda Creek Vegetation Maintenance Project, CIP Project No. 6629
o Project includes vegetation clearing and removal within the section of the Agua
Hedionda Creek confined by the bridges of El Camino Real and Cannon Road. This
maintenance improves flood capacity of the stream, thereby increasing flood
protection. The permit agency confirmed in fiscal year 2020-21 that the creek can be
cleared multiple times per year. The annual budget reflects three vegetation clearing
events per year.
o Channel maintenance performed in October 2025
o Obtained new streambed alteration agreement for long-term channel maintenance
from CDFW in October 2025
o Target Schedule:
Perform one or two more rounds of vegetation and debris clearing (early
2026)
Submit notifications and observation reports under new streambed
alteration agreement to CDFW (early and mid-2026)
• Buena Vista Creek Assessment District, Operating Budget No. 1636312
Jan. 27, 2026 Item #2 Page 13 of 16
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o The city provides annual channel maintenance on behalf of the Buena Vista Creek
Channel Maintenance District. Maintenance occurs in the creek between South Vista
Way and Jefferson Street and includes vegetation cutting and trash/debris removals
o Obtained a consolidated Coastal Development Permit, or CDP from the California
Coastal Commission, or CCC in August 2024
o Performed channel maintenance (vegetation cutting and trash/debris removals) in
November and December 2025
o Obtained a new streambed alteration agreement with the CDFW for long-term
channel maintenance in November 2025
o Target Schedule: Complete next round of annual channel maintenance (late 2026)
• Drainage Master Plan BFB-Upper Project, CIP Project No. 6622
o Project includes drainage improvements and slope stabilization to an existing city-
owned earthen drainage channel on the east side of El Camino Real from Chestnut
Avenue to Tamarack Avenue
o Objective of the project is to restore the channel by stabilizing slopes to mitigate
against erosion during storm events and help reduce sediment transport to the Agua
Hedionda Lagoon
o Target schedule:
Final engineering design and environmental processing and permitting (late
2026)
Adoption of plans, specifications and contract documents and authorization
to bid (early 2027)
Award of construction contract (mid-2027)
• ADA Ramp Improvement Program, CIP Project No. 6049
o Update to the city’s ADA Implementation Plan is in progress
o Identified approximately 300 locations citywide for the 2024 ADA Improvements
Project and completed final design of pedestrian ramp improvements
o Target schedule: Adoption of plans, specifications and contract documents and
authorization to bid (early 2026) award of construction contract (spring 2026)
• Parking Lot Maintenance Program, CIP Project No. 6052
o The program plans for maintenance of the city’s parking lots and driveways to
provide access to city parks, fire stations, libraries and facilities
o Finalizing design for the 2025 Parking Lot Improvement Project
o Target schedule: Adoption of plans, specifications and contract documents and
authorization to bid (early 2026), award of construction contract (spring 2026)
• Trash Capture Amendment Compliance Program, CIP Project No. 6626
o The program is to design and construct Trash Capture Best Management Practices,
or TCBMPs, to improve storm water quality, achieve compliance with watershed
permit and reduce maintenance costs.
o Advanced environmental studies, geotechnical investigation and engineering design
o Target schedule:
Jan. 27, 2026 Item #2 Page 14 of 16
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State Street TCBMP
• Environmental processing and permitting (early 2026)
• Adoption of plans, specifications and contract documents and
authorization to bid (mid-2026)
• If Coastal Development Permit is not required, award of construction
contract (late 2026)
Agua Hedionda TCBMP
• Initiate engineering design and environmental review (early 2026)
• Bridge Preventative Maintenance Program, CIP Project No. 6066
o The program performs preventative maintenance activities such as deck sealing,
concrete patching and repairing spalls to increase the life of the bridge structures
o Initiated contract for additional bridge design within the Program. These included
the Ponto Drive Undercrossing [Carlsbad Boulevard northbound] (Bridge No. 57C-
0212), the Las Encinas Creek Bridge at Carlsbad Boulevard (Bridge No. 57C-0214R),
and the Palomar Airport Road Overcrossing spanning Interstate Highway-5, or I-5
(Bridge No. 57-0556)
o 2024 Bridge Preventative Maintenance Project
The project will include the bridges located on Cannon Road (Macario
Canyon Bridges) and Rancho Santa Fe Road (San Marcos Creek Bridges) and
the Palomar Airport Bridge over I-5
Continued coordination with Caltrans is required for the Palomar Airport
Bridge over I-5
Target schedule: Adoption of plans, specifications and contract documents
and authorization to bid (spring 2026), award construction contract (mid-
2026)
o 2025 Bridge Preventative Maintenance Project
Includes the Ponto Drive Undercrossing and the Las Encinas Creek Bridge at
Carlsbad Boulevard
Target schedule: Adoption of plans, specifications and contract documents
and authorization to bid (mid-/late 2026), award construction contract (early
2027)
• Kelly Drive Channel Repair, CIP Project No. 6606
o An emergency repair project to reestablish a failed concrete portion of the Kelly
Drive Channel was completed in July 2025
o Continuing to work on a more permanent repair for the whole channel, target
schedule to initiate project scoping late 2026
• College Boulevard Reach A Extension, CIP Project No. 3636
o The project is included in the City’s General Plan and Growth Management Plan, but
it has been paused per City Council direction on June 7, 2022
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• Residential Traffic Improvement Program, CIP Project No. 6070
o The program provides an outline of the process to evaluate whether a roadway is
eligible for traffic calming measures
o The installation of traffic calming measures on Park Drive, Black Rail Road, Plum Tree
Road and Carrillo Way have been completed
o A traffic calming plan consisting of two speed cushions on Unicornio Street met the
community support threshold and was supported by the TS&MC at its Oct. 6, 2025
meeting.
Target Schedule: Adoption of plans, specifications and contract documents
and authorization to bid (mid-2026)
o Initiated Phase II for Celinda Drive
Neighborhood meeting conducted on Nov. 12, 2025, to present a traffic
calming concept plan and to receive feedback from the community
Target Schedule: Mail survey to gauge community support for the proposed
traffic calming plan for Celinda Drive (early 2026)
o The program is undergoing revisions to better reflect industry practices and
balancing the needs for traffic safety, emergency response and enforcement efforts
Target Schedule: Present the revised program to the TS&MC and the City
Council for approval (early 2026)
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