More than 20 years in the making, work is officially under way on a beachfront improvement project at Twin Lakes State Beach.
With Secretary for Natural Resources John Laird, Supervisor Ryan Coonerty and others on hand, the County and several project partners broke ground Thursday, Sept. 15 on $4.7 in improvements that will result in improved pedestrian, bicycle and disabled access along East Cliff Drive between 5th and 7th avenues at Twin Lakes. The project includes numerous visual and visitor improvements at the most popular beach in unincorporated Santa Cruz County.
“In Santa Cruz County, coastal access is one of our strongest community values,” Secretary Laird said. “I was pleased to be able to align state support for this project so that this community could once again demonstrate these values on behalf of residents and improve the public space for the benefit of all.”
“Once completed, this project will improve the visitor experience and public safety for all who come here, whether they arrive by two wheels or four, by transit or by foot. Twin Lakes neighbors have been eager to see this project move forward, and I am pleased work is finally underway,” Supervisor Ryan Coonerty said.
With construction expected to last into early summer 2017, the project realigns the street and adds bicycle lanes and sidewalks, stabilizes the roadway, creates more pedestrian beach access, reclaims public right-of-way for public benefit, improves coastal access for the disabled, and protects against future climate change while enhancing the beachfront character and natural surroundings.
The project also provides a link for both the Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail and the California Coastal Trail. Joining the event Thursday was former Supervisor Neal Coonerty, who helped push the project forward during his two terms on the Board of Supervisors.
Watsonville-based Graniterock was awarded the construction contract. East Cliff Drive will stay open during construction, though short-term closures are likely. Harbor businesses will remain open during construction.
The project is the result of a close collaboration between the County, Santa Cruz Port District, California State Parks and the California Coastal Commission. The California Division of Boating & Waterways, California Coastal Conservancy, Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission and Monterey Bay Air Resources District all contributed grant funding toward the project.
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A local project contact will be available on the Department of Public Works’ website, dpw.co.santa-cruz.ca.us, while those interested in following progress may check in on the project blog, tlbproject.wordpress.com