For Immediate Release: January 7, 2021
Contact: Levee Project Hotline at 1-800-213-6320, leveeproject@fostercity.org
Beginning on Monday, January 11, 2021, Beach Park Boulevard from approximately Foster City Boulevard to Teal Street will be temporarily restriped and reconfigured as part of the Levee Improvements Project.
From Monday through Wednesday of next week, temporary traffic controls will be put in place to allow for the restriping/reconfiguration of the roadway. These traffic controls will include temporary “No Parking” zones along the west side of Beach park Boulevard to facilitate the reconfiguration.
The roadway restriping will include closure of the temporary designated lane for bicyclists and runners (which was part of the Friendly Streets, Foster City initiative in response to COVID-19), and the reduction of the vehicle lanes to one in each direction. Once restriped, the parking on the west side of the roadway will be restored, and new bike lanes will be added in both directions (one each on the east and west sides). A portion of the roadway on the east side of Beach Park Boulevard will be utilized for additional construction staging for the project. The image below shows the reconfigured lane detail.
During this transition to a reconfigured Beach Park Boulevard, residents and motorists in the area should expect traffic delays, “No Parking” zones, and extended work hours which will allow the contractor to complete the restriping work as quickly as possible. Motorists are advised to utilize other routes during this reconfiguration work, if possible. Motorists are also asked to slow down, and be sure to follow directions from flaggers and on construction signs. The traffic control may be modified during this Monday-Wednesday transition period, as the new configuration is completed. DO NOT PARK in any of the No Parking/Tow Away zones during the times listed on the posted signs. These “No Parking” zones are temporary as the reconfiguration is implemented.
This reconfiguration is taking place as part of the Levee Improvements Project, and the scheduled closure of an additional section of Levee Trail from Shorebird Park to the San Mateo Bridge, anticipated to take place on January 19. This Phase 2 closure is in addition to the existing closure of the Levee Trail from Port Royal Avenue to Shorebird Park (Phase 1). It is anticipated that portions of Shorebird Park will remain open during this Levee Trail closure. The Levee Trail north of the San Mateo Bridge (Phase 3) will remain open until construction gets underway on that section, which is anticipated to begin in May 2021.
While closure of significant portions of the Levee Trail is inconvenient, it is an important public safety measure, and allows for the most efficient construction scheduling. The result will be a shorter overall construction duration and reduced length of construction impact to the public. Without the levee closures, the overall timeframe for construction would extend beyond the approximately three-year period currently anticipated. A revised detour map is available on the project web page here, which shows the Foster City Pedway on Seal Slough as an alternative route for community members to use while the Levee Trail is closed.
As construction continues for approximately the next three years, the community is reminded that the closed, fenced trail and staging areas are not safe for the public, and trespassing into fenced areas is prohibited at all times. Construction work with heavy equipment and machinery is underway, and work can move quickly to different areas within the closed portion of the levee and staging area. Even when work is not underway in a specific location, it is not safe for the public to be anywhere inside the work zone. Foster City Police have added patrols to the area to help keep the construction sites secure.
The Levee Project will protect Foster City homes, schools, businesses, and essential City services and infrastructure during storms and high tides, and from future sea level rise. The improved levee will be more resistant to earthquake damage, and will prevent designation of the City as a flood zone, thus avoiding requirements for homeowners to purchase expensive, permanent flood insurance. And, the improvements to the Levee/Bay Trail will provide the community with an enhanced, more inviting recreation destination, maintaining the natural beauty of the levee and our scenic views.
Foster City community members can subscribe to receive email construction updates. For more information about this project, please visit www.FosterCityLevee.org. Additional questions can also be directed to the Foster City Public Works Department at (650) 286-3270 or leveeproject@fostercity.org. Any construction-related issues may be reported to the project hotline at 1-800-213-6320 (calls will typically be returned within one-to-two working days).