For immediate release: March 29, 2023
Contact: Levee Project Hotline at 1-800-213-6320, leveeproject@fostercity.org
The City of Foster City is pleased to announce the achievement of the Phase I interim milestone for the Levee Improvements Project, restoring public access to the Bay Trail from Port Royal Avenue to Shorebird Park. Foster City community members and trail users are now welcome to access this portion of the trail.
“We appreciate Foster City residents’ patience and understanding throughout this process, and we’re pleased to now offer access to the trail from Port Royal Avenue to Shorebird Park,” said Foster City Mayor Jon Froomin. “Because of the community’s support, Foster City is close to completing the necessary levee improvements that will protect the City’s people and property for years to come.”
Since the temporary closure of the trail began, the City has been working diligently toward meeting the project timeline and completing construction activities. At the March 6, 2023 Council Meeting, the City Council approved Contract Change Order No. Thirty-one (CCO #31) to Shimmick Construction Inc. to introduce and work toward achieving interim project milestones that would allow for phased trail openings. The City is working toward achieving the Phase II interim milestone (Shorebird Park to San Mateo Bridge) by the end of May 2023 and the Phase III interim milestone (North of San Mateo Bridge) by the end of July 2023.
“With the Phase I interim milestone accomplished, the team is continuing to make significant headway in other sections of the project area,” said City Manager Stefan Chatwin. “As we get closer to the completion of each of the phased trail openings, I’d like to request community members remain patient and continue to adhere to safety guidelines so we can wrap up the project as quickly and smoothly as possible.”
While access to Phase I of the levee trail has been restored, the Levee Improvements Project is still undergoing construction and may continue to work on the Phase I portion of the trail as needed. Follow-up work, including punch list items, landscaping, and irrigation, may continue through the final project completion date of January 2024. Given the nature of the ongoing construction, the City retains the ability to reclose portions of the open trail if needed.
As construction continues on the other phases of the trail, the community needs to be mindful that the closed, fenced-off portions of the trail and staging areas are not safe for public access, and trespassing into fenced areas is prohibited at all times. The City would also like to remind residents to exercise caution and utilize safe practices while on the trail until construction activities are fully complete.
To learn more about the project and subsequent project milestones, visit the project website: www.FosterCityLevee.org, where community members can review detour maps, the construction timeline and levee renderings, read through Frequently Asked Questions, and even sign up for regular construction updates.
Any construction-related inquiries may be emailed to leveeproject@fostercity.org or reported to the project hotline at 1-800-213-6320 (calls will typically receive a response within 24 hours).