Section of road set for work in order to stop flooding and to improve access

By Tonya Strickland — [email protected]

If you travel 21st Street from Vine Street to Riverside Avenue in Paso Robles, you’ll soon be noticing some improvements.

The city is redoing this section of 21st Street, which has a recurring flooding problem, to improve storm water run-off. Steps will also be taken to improve accessibility and pedestrian and cyclist safety. Fresh pavement and shade trees will be added.

The $2.8 million project changes the structure of the road to encourage the natural absorption of rain into the ground through a design that also uses plants and special soils. The work is also designed to improve water quality so loose dirt debris and fertilizers don’t travel with rainwater to the Salinas River as they currently do.

The project will be paid for by a $993,000 state voter-approved Urban Greening Grant and additional money from eight city funds, including various public taxes as well as fees developers pay to improve neighborhoods.

The city was one of 23 applicants among 140 statewide that received the grant.

Cannon, provided preliminary and final design; railroad right-of-way coordination; subconsultant coordination; preparation of plans, specifications, and construction estimate; and presentation of exhibits for public outreach.

Photo by David Middlecamp — [email protected]