The City Council expediently approved an amendment to the Budget to build a wall for temporary restoration of iconic Pebble Beach Drive.
After declaring a 4-0 vote to continue the emergency action for the continuous slide activity along Pebble Beach, councilors passed a Resolution amending the 2024-25 Budget to allow Tidewater Contractors to continue the temporary restoration.
The saga of of the collapsing cliff and debilitating erosion dates back to 2016, following terrific Winter storms. When weather conditions subsided, engineers assessed the scope to repair the cliffs at a $32.6 million estimate. The Damage Assessment Form (DAF) was submitted to Federal Highways Administration (FHWY) in January. FHWY declared it would cover 88.53 percent of the cost for permanent restoration. Cal Trans and the Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) would reimburse the City for 75 percent of the remaining costs, leaving the City’s local match responsibility at just under three percent.
Also, in January of this year, a 75-foot section of the bluff supporting Pebble Beach Drive slide to the beach below 7th and 8th Streets. The unfortunate incident makes the project eligible for Emergency Opening (EO) funds. EO funds are 100% reimbursable and must be spent within 270 days of the event causing the emergency.
The Initial Damage Estimate (IDE) for the emergency repair was $6.680 million.
Cal Trans requested the City close out the existing bank stabilization project and submit a new DAF, including $925,000 for costs incurred to date. The new DAF is just under $39.5 million.
At the August 5 City Council meeting, councilors directed the City Manager to sign an original Agreement for $3.2 million with Tidewater and its sub-contractor Access Limited, a specialist wall contractor. The repair will consist of spanning approximately 200 feet on the bluff between 7th and 8th. The project is expected to last 12 weeks and complete by November 30. The estimate to construct the wall was low and an additional $1.8 million was required, making the total wall bid $4.6 million.
The EO funding will be provided by State Senator Mike McGuire’s office which successfully obtained $7.9 million in state funding cash flow to be granted to the City for this emergency project.