Bypass road built as regional trail project continues

DEL REY OAKS – A temporary bypass roadway has been built for the public to use during construction of the first phase of the Fort Ord Regional Trail and Greenway project on  Highway 218 adjacent to the Frog Pond Wetland Preserve in Del Rey Oaks.

The Canyon Del Rey Segment is part of the overall FORTAG alignment. This segment runs from the intersection of North Fremont and Canyon Del Rey boulevards through Work Memorial Park and Del Rey Park, under Highway 218 into the corner of the Frog Pond, back up to Highway 218 at Carlton Drive, then to Plumas Avenue where it will end at Del Rey Woods Elementary School.

The FORTAG path will go under Canyon Del Rey Boulevard – Highway 218 – with a new roadway bridge constructed to carry vehicles using the highway. Hikers, pedestrians and bicycles will travel under the bridge 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, is working with Caltrans District 5, the cities of Del Rey Oaks and Seaside and the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District, to complete the project.

Construction of the Canyon Del Rey Segment of the FORTAG project is being done in phases and different areas of the project will be affected at different times, according to TAMC. As the project moves forward, residents and businesses will be provided additional notifications in advance of bridge foundation work – pile driving – and work that restricts driveway access. Construction is expected to last through August 2026.

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 the scheduled work included excavating for retaining walls in Work Memorial Park, roadway stripe removals and re-striping to match the new temporary roadway, placement of temporary barriers and crash cushions, and the removal of existing pavement.

Drivers are reminded to be prepared for a realigned roadway which will include barriers on both sides of the road, with a reduced shoulder and lane widths, along with a speed limit of 20 mph.

In the next two weeks, work will include the installation of temporary shoring for the bridge construction with structure excavation for the bridge which may begin once shoring is completed.

Access to Work Memorial Park, the Butterfly Garden and tennis courts is restricted during construction. Parking adjacent to the Frog Pond Wetland Preserve may be restricted but other access restrictions are not foreseen in the next three weeks, according to the Transportation Agency.

Work hours are from 7 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. When called for, night hours are from 9 p.m. – 6 a.m., Sunday through Thursday unless otherwise authorized for specific operations with advance notice. Night work will occur along Highway 218 – Canyon Del Rey Boulevard.

For information about the FORTAG project or to sign up for project updates, go to www.tamcmonterey.org/fort-ord-regional-trail-greenway-canyon-del-rey.