Seawall reconstruction

CalTrans is currently working to rebuild the seawall near Solimar Beach along old PCH / Hwy 101 north of Ventura.  This is a popular beach during the summer, and although beach access is still possible from either end it's looking pretty ugly.  It appears that the riprap has been moved away from the toe of the seawall and placed in the surf zone to  protect the project area from wave action.  All of these rocks should be removed upon project completion.

According to the Coastal Commission staff report:

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

Demolish approximately1,800 linear ft. of existing seawall and replace with a new seawall of the same length and height in a further landward location; remove approximately 1,800 linear ft., 12 ft. wide existing rock revetment located immediately seaward of the existing seawall to be demolished; construct a new public access stairway and a new public access ramp to the beach; install three new public access signs and two new ADA- compliant parking spaces and signs; and repair and pave existing adjacent road shoulder and bicycle lane areas. 


As originally proposed project did not include the removal of any portions of the existing 1,800 linear ft. long rock revetment located seaward of the existing seawall. Moreover, the project also only included removal of the top 10 ft. of the existing seawall, leaving the lower portion visible above the typical elevation of beach sand. Through collaboration between Commission staff and the applicant, the proposed project has been modified to now include removal of the existing 1,800 linear ft. seawall down to two feet below the lowest expected beach sand profile and complete removal of the approximately 1,800 linear ft., 12 ft. wide existing rock revetment, thereby reducing potential visual impacts and increasing the area of useable beach. Thus, as now proposed to demolish all visible portions of the existing approximately 3 ft. wide seawall, reconstruct the new seawall in a further landward location, and remove all portions of the existing approximately 12 ft. wide rock revetment on site; this project will serve to reduce the footprint of shoreline armoring on site by approximately 15 ft. and will increase the area of sandy beach currently available for use by the public while continuing to ensure the geologic and engineering stability of Pacific Coast Highway. Moreover, the project has been designed to incorporate additional public access and recreational improvements including construction of a new public access stairway and a separate public access ramp to the sandy beach from the road shoulder parking area on site.

The existing seawall was originally constructed in 1934 and retrofitted in 1966. Construction of the proposed new seawall will include the landward placement of 605 “Cast-In-Drilled-Hole” piles, ranging from 2.6 ft. to 3 ft. in diameter. The piles will extend down to 54 ft. below the elevation of the adjacent road way and will maintain the same longitudinal footprint as the existing seawall to be demolished. The existing seawall will be removed to two feet below the lowest winter beach sand profile and all existing rock revetment will be removed. An eleven foot tall curved seawall fascia that has been designed to minimize tidal and wave overtopping will be added to the seaward side and top of the piles after the existing seawall is removed.

More Info:

Coastal Commission:  http://www.coastal.ca.gov
Coastal Commission Staff Report for Permit # 4-11-026 may be downloaded at this link:
http://documents.coastal.ca.gov/reports/2012/5/W23b-5-2012.pdf


..

Hwy 101 - CalTrans response

In response to our concerns that the access ramp would encroach onto the public beach, CalTrans simply redrew their right of way. Does this constitute a takings of public land, falsification of data, gross negligence, abuse of power, or all of the above?




September 27, 2010

Subject:US 101 High Occupancy Vehicle Project Ventura County Board of Supervisors Hearing Appeal of Conditional Use Permit (CUP) LU09-0085

This letter is in response to the comments received at the BOS Hearing from the Surfrider Foundation (Ventura Chapter) and our previous discussions with Mr. Larry Manson. The Surfrider Foundation's input was taken seriously, and modifications to the design were made in response. We have enclosed updated plans showing additional access points to be constructed within our right-of -way or within the prism of the rock revetment. These plans are consistent with the Ventura County Coastal Permit.

Caltrans believes that the proposed project provides safer beach access when compared to existing conditions. This is also true for the new bikeway, of course the project will change the classification of the highway to a freeway according to Caltrans Highway Design Standards and the California Highway Patrol (CHP). Therefore, parking will no longer be allowed along the freeway shoulder pursuant to CA vehicle code, Division 11, Chapter 9, section 22505 and will be enforced by CHP. The emergency parking shoulder will be reduced from 19ft to 8-ft. Also, the highway between the Tank Farm and Mussel Shoals is the most constrained by the railroad and the ocean and there is no additional land to move the bikeway off the highway to provide additional parking.

Should the Surfrider Foundation propose additional access location, Caltrans would be emendable to collaborate with you and seek a grant for a separate project.



In the news: http://www.vcstar.com/news/2010/oct/01/surfrider-foundation-drops-opposition-to-highway/

Hwy 101 widening project

Ventura/Santa Barbara 101 HOV Project

CalTrans is planning to widen the freeway from Mussel Shoals to Bates Road, 'the Rincon' in northern Ventura County. The Ventura County Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation has been involved in this issue for the past few years, attending the public meetings and commenting on the planning process. The Caltrans plan aims to reduce traffic congestion by turning the 4 lane highway into a 6 lane freeway, with HOV (High Occupancy Vehicle) lanes.

Because of the public involvement, there are many other components to the project. These include:

• Four miles of California Coastal Trail (CCT) bikeway, separated from the highway by see-through safety barriers and railings designed to maximize views to the ocean.
• Removal of existing shoulder concrete barrier.
• Construct concrete median in a context sensitive tone.
• Development of beach access points at Bates Road, Rincon Point, State Park, La Conchita, Mussel Shoals, Punta Gorda and Mobil Pier.
• Additional parking for at least 211 vehicles at Punta Gorda; accessible from 101 with connections to the beach and bikeway/CCT.
• Pedestrian Undercrossing (PUC) at La Conchita with beach and bikeway/CCT connection.
• Bike racks at Mobil Pier, Punta Gorda, Mussel Shoals and La Conchita.
• Trash receptacles at La Conchita, Mussel Shoals, Punta Gorda, and Mobil Pier.
• One toilet facility between Bates Road and Mobil Pier.
• Revitalization of existing Pedestrian Undercrossing at Punta Gorda.
• Include a Handicap space at Mobil Pier, and
• Improved beach access at Mobil Pier.
• Install Soundwalls at Mussel Shoals that are the shortest length feasible.
• Install Coastal Access Signage, as appropriate.
• Include Hotel information sign for the Cliff House Inn.

The total cost estimate for the widening project is $151 million. $27 million is the estimated cost for the bike path, ramp and visual enhancements.


The map below shows the area with the proposed coastal trail and coastal access points.



Background: Surfrider testified to CalTrans in 1994 following the fatality of a cyclist on Hwy 101, and at that time we unsuccessfully advocated for construction of a dedicated bike path on the landward side of the freeway, or at the very least a safety barrier for cyclists riding along the highway. The current situation shown here is obviously not safe, although hundreds of cyclists ride this section of highway every week.



The original plan after initial stakeholder meetings was for a bike path on the landward side of the freeway and railroad to provide a safe and fast thoroughfare for cyclists between old PCH at Mussel Shoals and Bates Road (Rincon). However, in subsequent (closed) meetings, the Coastal Commission had the bike path re-aligned on the beach side in order to realize the goal of constructing a section of the California Coastal Trail on the beach.

The current proposal is for a multi-use trail on the ocean side of the freeway, separated by steel fencing on both sides. The path is 10 feet wide, and is intended for pedestrians and other beach users as well as cyclists. (Although it has been suggested that cyclists would still have the option of using the highway shoulder, this will not be permitted when the 'highway' is re-designated as a 'freeway.' Serious cyclists, beware!)

• CORRECTION - Because of these concerns, CalTrans will make an exception and continue to allow cyclists to use the new freeway shoulder if they choose.

Coastal Access: The project will eliminate beach parking on a 1.2 mile segment of the emergency shoulder near La Conchita beach. Although Surfrider appealed this issue, CalTrans maintains that on-street parking is available in La Conchita, and a new parking lot at Punta Gorda will offset the loss.


For decades the community of La Conchita has been cut off from the beach by the highway. They have used a 4 ft high storm drain under the highway in order to access the beach. The plan calls for this accessway to be enlarged to 8ft x 8ft as shown below.


This will be a great asset to the La Conchita community, but once the new accessway is completed, this community will be impacted with beach parking on their streets. CalTrans did not pursue options to construct a new parking lot in or near this new coastal access point.



Coastal Structures: One of Surfrider's biggest concerns is the construction of coastal structures - history has proven that such engineering exacerbates coastal erosion and require constant long-term maintenance. (In the case of Surfers' Point in Ventura, the bike path was used to justify construction of a seawall - which ultimately led to the Managed Retreat project of today.)

This section of the coast highway is currently 'protected' with riprap. In order to provide beach access from the new bike path, the riprap will be removed or modified, and a new seawall will be constructed at the La Conchita Public Undercrossing:


The most recent drawings show that the beach access ramp will encroach onto the public beach, outside the CalTrans Right of Way.



Final Results:

At the Ventura County Board of Supervisors Hearing, these issues were brought up in response to Surfrider's appeal. The end result is that we have assurances that CalTrans will move the ramp off the public beach into their Right of Way, and add four additional coastal accessways from the bikeway to the beach. (We were concerned that surfers ending up down the coast from Rincon in huge surf would not be able to exit the beach to walk back)

Because of these additional concessions and the unlikelihood that there was anything further to gain, the Surfrider executive committee voted not to appeal the project to the Coastal Commission.


Commentary:

My opinion? Compromise is a good thing. But only history will tell whether this is a good project or not. When the 'new' freeway is stop-and-go with cars, waves are breaking over the seawall, and the beach has eroded away, only then may people wonder why there was no discussion of putting in a commuter rail line with the billion dollars used to widen the Ventura-Santa Barbara Hwy 101 in 2005-2015.

One thing always leads to another...



More info: CalTrans website: http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist07/travel/projects/details.php?id=28

In the News: http://www.vcstar.com/news/2010/sep/21/nxxfchighway22/

Surfers' Point funding back on track

The Federal Highway Administration today approved the use of the federal Transportation Enhancement (TE) grant for restoring the bike path and beach at Surfers' Point. This will allow the project to move forward, although groundbreaking will be delayed until early 2010.


'Based on the FHWA’s careful review of the project documents provided by both Caltrans and City of Ventura, and in response to the congressional inquiry by Congresswoman Lois Capps, attached is our agency decision letter with respect to the eligibility of the beach protection and erosion control components of the above-referenced Federal-aid highway project.

We request that Caltrans HQ and Caltrans District 7 facilitate the timely implementation of our decision, given the time sensitivity in the coastal permit conditions for the project. Thank you to both Caltrans and the City of Ventura for helping us respond to the Congressional Inquiry with a well-informed decision.'


Many thanks to Congresswoman Lois Capps, everyone who wrote letters, State Assemblyman Pedro Nava, and all the state and local staff and political representatives who weighed in on this!

Transportation funding for Surfers' Point?

CalTrans has yet to cite specific language that precludes the use of TE funding for the 'rehabilitation' portion of the Surfers Point bike path, and we are working diligently to try to re-instate the $1.5M grant that will make this project go...

I went back and looked at the requirements for TE funding, see below. The federal TE funding has provisions for "major rehabilitation" of shared-use paths such as the Omar Rains path at Surfers Point. There are many examples around the state where TE funding has been used for landscaping portion of a project, sometimes not even directly related to a bike path.

The Federal Government today is working to reform transportation practices to recognize multi-purpose projects (i.e. green infrastructure.) This project could be a showcase for intelligent use of federal and state funding in the public interest, and an opportunity for CalTrans to provide a leadership role... or not?






http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/TE/teas.htm

1. Provision of facilities for pedestrians and bicycles.

New or reconstructed sidewalks, walkways, or curb ramps; wide paved shoulders for nonmotorized use, bike lane striping, bike parking, and bus racks; construction or major rehabilitation of off-road shared use paths (nonmotorized transportation trails); trailside and trailhead facilities for shared use paths; bridges and underpasses for pedestrians and bicyclists and for trails.


EXAMPLES: http://www.enhancements.org/projectlist_search.asp



Dublin Transit Center Streetscape Improvements - pedestrian improvements, landscape

Firebaugh Gateway Landscaping And Bike Trails- construct bike trails, landscaping, bike racks

Park Street Streetscape And Santa Clara Avenue Transit Hub- streetscapes, lighting, landscape, bike racks and lockers

Shaw Median Island Landscaping Project- landscape and irrigate median strip (in and near the City of Fresno, along Shaw Ave. between Highway 99 and Golden State Blvd.)

Redwood National Park Davison Trailhead - trailhead with information kiosks, parking, elk-viewing deck and revegitation (sic)

Main Street Walkway, Landscaping And Decorative Lighting In Kelseyville - walkways, landscaping and lighting (in Kelseyville, along Main St. from Gunn St. to Second St.)

Sespe Creek Bike Path - Phase II - grading, paving (bike path), fencing and landscaping

Surfers' Point Funding in Jeopardy

The Surfers' Point project, scheduled to break ground this November, has come up against yet another hurdle. Caltrans has ruled that only a small portion of the $1.5M federal grant is eligible. Without full funding, the project is off!

We are requesting that Caltrans reconsider this decision based upon new information provided by the coastal engineers for the project - the new location of the bike path depends upon the reconstructed beach to survive future erosion from winter storms.

Please take the time to send a letter as a bicyclist and beachgoer to urge Caltrans staff to fully fund the federal grant:


Department of Transportation
John Haynes, Transportation Enhancement Coordinator
1120 N. Street, MS1
Sacramento, CA 95814

FAX number, 916-657-4455
e-mail: john_haynes@dot.ca.gov

　
Your letter should say something like the following:

I am writing to express our strong support for the City of Ventura’s proposal to use $1.5 million in Transportation Enhancement (TE) funds for the Surfers Point Bike Path Restoration project, including the erosion control needed to protect the path. The bike path at Surfers Point is part of the Omer Rains Coastal Bike Route and is one of the most heavily-used bike path segments. It is a significant Class I bicycle connection for our whole region. Unfortunately, sections of this bike path were washed out by coastal storms. The City of Ventura has worked over several years with the California Coastal Commission and numerous other parties, including the Ventura County Bicycle Coalition, to develop an innovative project to relocate the bike path away from the beach and provide erosion control to protect the path from future damage.

We understand that the City recently submitted to Caltrans technical information from its engineering consultant documenting the requirement of erosion control to protect this facility. We believe that federal regulations allow the use of TE funds for erosion control required to protect bicycle facilities in this matter. Unfortunately there is now very little time left to approve this project due to California Coastal permit restrictions that the work must be done during the fall and winter, so I respectfully request your assistance in assuring that full funding of the $1.5 million TE grant for this project, including the erosion control, can be approved quickly.

　
Sincerely,