By Jon Chown
Santa Cruz County supervisors at their Dec. 9 board meeting approved plans and specifications for the Valencia Road storm-damage repair project and set a Jan. 8 bid opening. When started, contractors will have 60 working days to complete the job.
The project will restore a section of Valencia Road that was damaged in the December 2022 winter storms. The work includes construction of steel soldier pile retaining walls, site grading, drainage improvements, metal guardrails, pavement repairs, and erosion control and revegetation.
The engineer’s estimate for construction is $422,627. Total costs, including engineering, right-of-way, geotechnical work, and other contingencies are estimated at $746,250. A Federal Highway Administration Emergency Relief grant will cover more than 88% of the project’s cost, The California Office of Emergency Services will cover another 8.6%. The county’s cost will be $106,430, and will come from SB 1 funds.
Caltrans determined the project will have no significant environmental impacts under the National Environmental Policy Act. Bidding for the project requires contractors to hold a Class A license and be registered with the state Department of Industrial Relations.
Bid openings will be conducted via Zoom at 2 p.m. on Jan. 8, with results posted afterward. The project is funded through the County Road Fund.