Construction on first segment of FORTAG in Del Rey Oaks begins this week

DEL REY OAKS – The first phase of the overall Fort Ord Regional Trail and Greenway project, the Canyon Del Rey segment, will begin construction this week as utility relocation wraps up.

The 1.5-mile Canyon Del Rey segment runs from the intersection of North Fremont and Canyon Del Rey boulevards through Work Memorial and Del Rey parks, under Highway 218 – via a new roadway bridge constructed to carry vehicles using the highway – and into the corner of Frog Pond Wetland Preserve, back up to Highway 218 at Carlton Drive, and on to Plumas Avenue where it ends at Del Rey Woods Elementary School.

The portion of the Canyon Del Rey segment that runs under Highway 218 and links Work Memorial and Del Rey parks with the Frog Pond Wetland Preserve, will allow hikers, cyclists and pedestrians to move freely under the roadway through a 10.5-foot-high passageway.

The 1.5-mile Canyon Del Rey segment runs from the intersection of North Fremont and Canyon Del Rey boulevards through Work Memorial and Del Rey parks, under Highway 218 – via a new roadway bridge constructed to carry vehicles using the highway – and into the corner of Frog Pond Wetland Preserve, back up to Highway 218 at Carlton Drive, and on to Plumas Avenue where it ends at Del Rey Woods Elementary School. (TAMC)

The Transportation Agency for Monterey County, the lead agency on the project, Caltrans District 5, the cities of Del Rey Oaks and Seaside and the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District announced that construction began on Monday.

The Canyon Del Rey segment of the Fort Ord Regional Trail and Greenway project is part of the larger 28-mile effort to connect communities in and around the former Fort Ord to each other and to educational institutions, employment, community and open space.

This week, AT&T is wrapping up utility work along Highway 218 near the frog pond, moving in equipment and materials behind Safeway for the start of project construction, and surveying and marking project areas in Work Memorial and Del Rey parks.

The public trail behind Safeway and Hana Garden Center will be closed from Aug. 26 until further notice for safety and construction concerns related to the Transportation Agency for Monterey County Fort Ord Regional Trail and Greenway Project. Restricted access during the construction period of the Butterfly Garden and tennis courts can also be expected.

Construction work hours are 7 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday. When needed, work hours in the evening are 9 p.m. – 6 a.m., Sunday – Thursday. The overall construction period is projected to be August 2024 – August 2026.

Subsequent work in the following two weeks includes installing temporary storm water and sediment controls in Work Memorial Park, clearing and removing vegetation, rocks and debris in Work Memorial Part, and protecting and removing trees on Plumas Avenue, Carlton Drive, Highway 218 at the frog pond and Work Memorial and Del Rey parks.

The Canyon Del Rey segment work in general comprises construction of the trail through Del Rey Oaks from Fremont Boulevard to Del Rey Woods Elementary School in Seaside, according to TAMC, including the underpass at Canyon Del Rey Boulevard between Del Rey Oaks City Hall and the Frog Pond Wetland Preserve.

A 12-foot wide raised pathway is to be constructed to connect trail users from the underpass to Carlton Drive at an accessible grade.

Along Carlton Drive, the trail will consist of a new 12-foot wide multi-use sidewalk with a five-foot wide buffer on the west side of the road and will continue along the south side of Plumas Avenue to Del Rey Woods Elementary School.

Breaking ground for the first segment of the Fort Ord Regional Trail and Greenway project in Del Rey Oaks is, left to right, Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District General Manager Rafael Payan, former Del Rey Oaks Mayor Alison Kerr, FORTAG co-founder Dr. Scott Waltz, Marina Mayor Bruce Delgado, former Del Rey Oaks Mayor Jerry Edelen, FORTAG co-founder Dr. Fred Watson, Del Rey Oaks Mayor Scott Donaldson, Seaside Mayor Ian Oglesby, Carmel Mayor and TAMC Board Vice Chair Dave Potter, Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District Board President Dr. Kevin Raskoff, and TAMC Executive Director Todd Muck, on Wednesday, May 29, 2024. (James Herrera/Monterey Herald).

The Fort Ord Regional Trail and Greenway is proposed as a new paved regional active transportation route providing pedestrians, bicyclists and people with disabilities a safer corridor connecting Seaside, Marina, Del Rey Oaks, Monterey, and unincorporated communities. It will provide new routes for both residents and visitors to Cal State Monterey Bay, the Fort Ord National Monument, and the Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail. The project was identified in the Transportation Safety and Investment Plan approved by Monterey County voters as Measure X in 2016.

The Transportation Agency for Monterey County placed the Transportation Safety and Investment Plan – Measure X – on the November 8, 2016 ballot and the measure was approved with 67.7% approval from Monterey County voters.

The Transportation Agency for Monterey County Board approved the use of State and Measure X funds budgeted for the project in the not-to-exceed amount of $17.9 million and a $2.7 million contingency fund for unforeseen circumstances. Funding sources include a State Active Transportation Program grant of $9,181,000 and $11,513,608 from Measure X.