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Home My WebLink About2026-04-30; Beach Access Repairs and Upgrades Project Update (District 1); Gomez, PazTo the members of the: ITY COUNCIL Dat CA/ CC✓ CM _ACM ✓ocM (3) ✓ Council Memorandum April 30, 2026 To: Honorable Mayor Blackburn and Members of the City Council From: Paz Gomez, Deputy City Man~g ,:Rp lie Works Via: Geoff Patnoe, City Manager GfY Re: Beach Access Repairs and U r Project Update (District 1) {city of Carlsbad Memo ID#2026022 This memorandum provides an update to a previous Council Memorandum dated April 9, 2026, which is provided in Attachment A, on the Beach Access Repairs and Upgrades Project, Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Project No. 3896. Background The Beach Access Repairs and Upgrades Project (project) includes repairs and work for improved access, mobility and aesthetics. Project elements include: • Widening the upper sidewalk westward, with an additional foot of supported sidewalk over the bluffs for more space to walk • Removing the metal beam and timber post guardrail on the east side of the sidewalk to gain an additional foot of sidewalk space1 • Replacing existing streetlights with light fixtures on double-masts (i.e., one east and one west), to improve street and sidewalk lighting • Extending the lower sidewalk's eastern retaining walls a short distance to help maintain the slope at the base of the stairways • Replacing four sets of stairs from the upper sidewalk to the lower seawall • Replacing the upper sidewalk platforms The project has been under construction since late October 2025 on two of the four beach access stairways: Hemlock Avenue and Cherry Avenue. The other two access stairways have remained open and are part of the second phase: Maple Avenue and Sycamore Avenue, which will start in Fall 2026. The intent is to have only two of the stairways closed at any given time. Attachment A, which is the Council Memorandum dated April 9, 2026, provides additional background information on the project. 1 This guardrail is not required based on the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Roadside Design Guide. Public Works Branch Transportation Department 1635 Faraday Avenue I Carlsbad, CA 92008 I 442-339-2730 t Council Memo -Beach Access Repairs and Upgrades Project Update (District 1) April 30, 2026 Page 2 Discussion The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2025-079, accepting bids and awarding a contract to De La Fuente Construction, Inc. (contractor), on April 15, 2025. The Notice to Proceed was issued on October 27, 2025, and the contractor started construction shortly thereafter. Construction of the project has been phased for a period of over 20 months to minimize the associated impacts along Carlsbad Boulevard and Tamarack State Beach during the summer season from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The previous memorandum in Attachment A details the delay of the Cherry Avenue stairway. Unfortunately, the contractor confirmed that they are unable to open the Hemlock Avenue stairway by the summer because stair stringers and handrails cannot be fabricated in time due to procurement delays caused by its subcontractor. Until these components are fabricated and installed, the stairway cannot be completed or made accessible. Therefore, the contractor will focus on completing the upper sidewalk and railings between Maple Avenue and Tamarack Avenue before Memorial Day. The contractor will then demobilize from the construction site before Memorial Day and return after Labor Day to immediately complete the Cherry Avenue and Hemlock Avenue beach access stairs. Once the Cherry Avenue and Hemlock Avenue beach access stairs are opened, the Sycamore Avenue and Maple Avenue beach access will be closed for demolition and construction. In summary, the status of each beach access is as follows: • Hemlock Avenue: In construction, complete installation of the stairs and rails in Fall 2026 • Cherry Avenue: In construction, complete installation of the stairs and rails in Fall 2026 • Maple Avenue: Start construction when Cherry Avenue and Hemlock Avenue work is completed in Fall 2026 with completion in spring 2027 • Sycamore Avenue: Start construction when Cherry Avenue and Hemlock Avenue work is completed in early Fall 2026 with completion in spring 2027 Next Steps Ongoing construction will continue until shortly before Memorial Day 2026. The contractor will then demobilize until after Labor Day. The remaining work is expected to be completed in spring 2027. Attachment: A. Council Memorandum dated April 9, 2026 cc: Sheila Cobian, Assistant City Manager Cindie McMahon, City Attorney Jeff Murphy, Deputy City Manager, Community Services Laura Rocha, Deputy City Manager, Administrative Services Council Memo -Beach Access Repairs and Upgrades Project Update (District 1} April 30, 2026 Page 3 Christie Calderwood, Police Chief Michael Calderwood, Fire Chief Tim Lyons, Assistant City Attorney Dalton Sorich, Assistant City Attorney Tom Frank, Transportation Director/City Engineer Zach Korach, Finance Director Kyle Lancaster, Parks & Recreation Director Mike Strong, Community Development Director Amy Ventetuolo, Communication & Engagement Director Eric Lardy, Assistant Director of Community Development Sarah Reiswig, Risk Manager John Kim, City Traffic Engineer Emily Hasegawa, Engineering Manager Mariel Cairns, Acting Engineering Manager To the members of the: CITY COUNCIL Date: 4/912026 CA_x_ cc_x_ CM_x_ ACM_x_ DCM (3)_x_ April 9, 2026 Council Memorandum To: From: Honorable Mayor Blackburn and Members of the City Council Paz Gomez, Deputy City Manager, Public Works Sheila Cobian, Assistant City Managers C Via: Re: Beach Access Repairs and Upgrades Project Update (District 1) Attachment A {city of Carlsbad Memo ID#2026015 This memorandum provides an update to a previous Council Memorandum dated February 8, 2024, which is provided in Attachment A, on the Beach Access Repairs and Upgrades Project, Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Project No. 3896. Background The Beach Access Repairs and Upgrades Project includes repairs and work for improved access, mobility and aesthetics. Project elements include: • Widening the upper sidewalk westward, with an additional foot of supported sidewalk over the bluffs for more space to walk • Removing the metal beam and timber post guardrail on the east side of the sidewalk to gain an additional foot of sidewalk space1 • Replacing existing streetlights with light fixtures on double-masts (i.e., one east and one west), to improve street and sidewalk lighting • Extending the lower sidewalk's eastern retaining walls a short distance to help maintain the slope at the base of the stairways • Replacing four sets of stairs from the upper sidewalk to the lower seawall • Replacing the upper sidewalk platforms Discussion The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2025-079, accepting bids and awarding a contract to De La Fuente Construction, Inc. (contractor), on April 15, 2025. The notice to proceed was issued on October 27, 2025, and the contractor started construction shortly thereafter. Construction of the project has been phased for a period of over 20 months to minimize the associated impacts along Carlsbad Boulevard and Tamarack State Beach during the summer season from Memorial Day through Labor Day. 1 This guardrail is not required based on the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Roadside Design Guide. Public Works Branch Transportation Department 1635 Faraday Avenue I Carlsbad, CA 92008 I 442-339-2730 t Council Memo -Beach Access Repairs and Upgrades Project Update (District 1) April 9, 2026 Page 2 During demolition of the Cherry Avenue upper foundation and platform supports, the contractor discovered unforeseen field conditions that required the Engineer of Record to redesign the upper foundation wall and reinforce the platform supports. Due to the sequence of construction, reinforcement of the platform supports will not be ready in time for the stairs and rails to be installed before the summer moratorium. Therefore, the contractor will focus on completing the Hemlock Avenue beach access stairs and the upper sidewalk and railings between Maple Avenue and Tamarack Avenue before Memorial Day. The contractor will then demobilize from the construction site before Memorial Day and return after Labor Day to immediately complete the Cherry Avenue beach access stairs and start demolition on the Maple Avenue location. Once the Cherry Avenue beach access is opened, the Sycamore Avenue beach access will be closed for demolition and construction. In summary, the status of each beach access is as follows: • Hemlock Avenue: in construction, completion scheduled for May 2026 • Cherry Avenue: in construction, complete installation of the stairs and rails in Fall 2026 • Maple Avenue: start construction in Fall 2026 with completion in early 2027 • Sycamore Avenue: start construction when Cherry Avenue is completed in early Fall 2026 with completion in early 2027 Next Steps Ongoing construction will continue until shortly before Memorial Day 2026. The contractor will then demobilize until after Labor Day. The remaining work is expected to be completed in early 2027. Attachment: A. Council Memorandum dated February 8, 2024 cc: Geoff Patnoe, City Manager Cindie McMahon, City Attorney Jeff Murphy, Deputy City Manager, Community Services Laura Rocha, Deputy City Manager, Administrative Services Christie Calderwood, Police Chief Michael Calderwood, Fire Chief Tim Lyons, Assistant City Attorney Dalton Sorich, Assistant City Attorney Tom Frank, Transportation Director/City Engineer Zach Korach, Finance Director Kyle Lancaster, Parks & Recreation Director Mike Strong, Community Development Director Amy Ventetuolo, Communication & Engagement Director Eric Lardy, Assistant Director of Community Development Sarah Reiswig, Risk Manager John Kim, City Traffic Engineer Council Memo -Beach Access Repairs and Upgrades Project Update (District 1) April 9, 2026 Page 3 Todd Reese, Parks Services Manager Emily Hasegawa, Engineering Manager Mariel Cairns, Acting Engineering Manager To the members of the: CITY COUNCIL oa:~~ \~~ CA✓ cc✓ CM ACM LocM {3~/ Council Memorandum February 8, 2024 To: From: Honorable Mayor Blackburn and Members of the City Council Paz Gomez, Deputy City Manager, Publi~orks Via: Geoff Patnoe, Assistant City Manager ~ Re: Beach Access Repairs and Upgrades Project Update (District 1) Attachment A {city of Carlsbad Memo ID# 2024010 This memorandum provides an update on the Beach Access Repairs and Upgrades Project, Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Project No. 3896. Background The city is working on a project to make necessary repairs and upgrades to the stairs and walkway on the west side of Carlsbad Boulevard between Pine Avenue and approximately 30 feet north of Tamarack Avenue. The project includes structural repairs and improvements to the concrete sidewalks, retaining walls and beach access stairways located along Carlsbad Boulevard. These existing features would be replaced with similar materials and designs except for the walkway, which would be widened to better accommodate the large number of walkers, runners, joggers and other users. The sidewalks and stairways were built in the 1980s. The sidewalk between Pine Avenue and Maple Avenue is elevated and cantilevered over the bluff. There are four stairways to the lower sea wall within the project area. Repairs are needed due to deterioration of the sidewalk structure, exposed and rusted steel reinforcements, cracked and broken concrete, and rusting of stairway components. Discussion The repair project was originally considered a maintenance project, but the scope has expanded into an improvement project to address the current engineering standards and building code requirements and to account for increased demand for beach access. Overall, the repairs and additional work for improved access, mobility and aesthetics include: • Widening the upper sidewalk westward, with a further foot of cantilever over the bluffs for more space to walk • Removing the metal beam and timber post guardrail on the east side of the sidewalk to gain a foot of additional sidewalk space (this guardrail is not required based on the Public Works Branch Transportation Department 1635 Faraday Avenue I Carlsbad, CA 92008 I 442-339-2730 t Council Memo -Beach Access Repairs and Upgrades Project Update (District 1) February 8, 2024 Page 2 American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Roadside Design Guide -see below) • Replacing existing streetlights with light fixtures on double-masts (i.e., one east and one west), to improve street and sidewalk lighting • Extending the lower sidewalk's eastern retaining walls a short distance to help maintain the slope at the base of the stairways • Replacing four sets of stairs from the upper sidewalk to the lower seawall • Replacing the upper sidewalk platforms Safety along Carlsbad Boulevard As the city implements the policies in the General Plan Mobility Element, approved by the City Council in 2015, safety along Carlsbad Boulevard is a top priority. In the same area as the beach access project, the following changes have been made or are planned: • Improved crosswalks with curb extensions to shorten the walking distance, center medians to provide a place for pedestrians to stop, if needed, and flashing lights to alert drivers when pedestrians are present • Creating buffered bike lanes • Slowing down traffic through restriping lanes and installing curb extensions These changes work together to promote safer behavior among all road users. Guardrail considerations While it may seem counterintuitive to remove a guardrail in an area where we are making safety improvements, there are several reasons why this design is preferred: • The AASHTO Roadside Design Guide, which is used by transportation planners to determine recommended street designs and features based on several factors, including location, traffic, speeds and visibility, does not require a guardrail • The existing guardrail was installed in the 1980s when Carlsbad Boulevard served as Pacific Coast Highway with high speeds, prior to construction of Interstate 5 • Removing the guardrail will provide another foot of space to the walkway, which is one of the most heavily used walkways in the region • Removing the guardrail will make this segment of Carlsbad Boulevard consistent with other similar segments