Levee Improvements Project Update: Park Closure and New Bike Detour at Bridgeview Park

UPDATE 10/7/20:

• The construction office trailers are being installed adjacent to Bridgeview Park. The park will NOT be closed, and will not be fenced.
• When construction moves to the northern part of the project, an additional portion of the Levee Trail may be closed at that time, not the entire levee.

For Immediate Release: September 24, 2020
Contact: Norm Dorais, Public Works Director, (650) 286-3279, ndorais@fostercity.org  

This coming Tuesday, September 29, Shimmick Construction will begin preparing Bridgeview Park for set up of their primary construction office trailers, which will serve as field headquarters for the upcoming Levee Improvements Project. Nearby residents and trail users will see crews in Bridgeview Park working on the grading of the ground surface, tree removal, and protection of existing utilities inside the park. This is not the start of construction on the levee improvements – it is the initial preparation for installing the construction field office trailers.

Starting Wednesday, September 30, Bridgeview Park will be closed [SEE UPDATE ABOVE – PARK WILL NOT BE CLOSED] to the public for the remainder of the Levee Improvements Project, since it will be used for the construction trailer offices. The bathroom facilities at Bridgeview Park will remain open until that portion of the Levee Trail is under construction, at a later date. Except for access to the bathrooms, the park area will be fenced-off to accommodate the construction trailers. We apologize for any inconvenience that this park closure may cause. Use of the park for construction office trailers is a critical element in managing the upcoming Levee Improvements Project.

In the interest of public safety and convenience, the existing detour that diverts bicycle traffic off of the Bay Trail and onto Beach Park Blvd. (implemented in response to social distancing needs during the pandemic) will be adjusted per the below/attached diagram. On September 29, the contractor will be on-site paving the new detour ramp so bicyclists can safely and smoothly enter/exit the Bay/Levee Trail. Once the new ramp is ready, the detour signage will be moved to the new location. That work is expected to be completed in one day, and only minor interruption of the trail traffic is anticipated.

Levee improvement construction is anticipated to start by late October (an update will be provided to the public as soon as an exact trail closure date and construction start date are determined). Work is presently envisioned to start on the southern area of the Levee Trail only, from approximately Rock Harbor Lane at Port Royal Drive, to Shorebird Park/Halibut Street (about 2.5 miles). This length of the trail will be fenced off from public access and is expected to remain in place for at least 10 to 12 months. Typically, the contractor will be actively working on several hundred linear feet at any given time within the closed-off area and will deploy additional screening in active work areas to protect the public as well as the contractor’s employees and equipment. Construction may occur at other locations within the closed levee trail area, and crews may move within the span of the closed portion of the levee as necessary to complete the work. 

Work is currently envisioned to start in the southern area of the project; however, the construction locations are subject to change as the project proceeds based on scheduling, work progress, site conditions, and other factors. Construction may move to the northern area sooner, and the entire Levee Trail may be closed at that time [SEE UPDATE ABOVE - PORTIONS OF TRAIL MAY BE CLOSED WHEN CONSTRUCTION MOVES NORTH].

The City and contractor will make every effort to minimize disruption and keep residents informed of the work and its expected impacts as the project progresses. Foster City community members can subscribe to receive weekly construction updates, which will commence once work gets underway, at www.fostercity.org/leveesubscribe. For more information about this project, including an updated set of FAQs, please visit www.fostercity.org/leveeproject. 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.

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