Measure P funded projects continue in Monterey

Major road work is happening in Monterey and city leaders credit voters with helping to pay for it.

Four years ago, Monterey voters overwhelmingly passed Measure P – a one-percent local district tax that went to pay for fixing roads, sidewalks, potholes and improving access for people with disabilities and senior citizens.

It was expected to bring in some $32 million. $17.2 million going to pavement resurfacing and road reconstruction, $10.08 million to ADA ramps and signals, $2.72 million to storm drains and $2 million to sidewalk repairs.

“If people are driving down a nice road, they’re not worried about swerving around a pothole, it’s drivability,” said Jeff Krebs, principal engineer for the City of Monterey. “And the curb ramps, it’s hard for people to step off a six inch curb and we’re also making our curb ramps compliant as we can, so it helps people get in and out of the roadway and across the street.”

Some major projects are happening right now. Perry Lane, behind El Estero Car Wash, is undergoing major renovations, while York Road from Highway 68 to Wilson was reconstructed over the weekend.

“We actually pulverized the existing asphalt services that were there, add cement to it, make that a substantial base for an overlay that will overlay the street and give it a good driving surface,” Krebs said.

The tax is set to expire next March. Public works officials hope residents see the work that is being done and will renew it this November.

We spoke with residents about areas they’d like to see more improvement.

“David Avenue, Lighthouse, they’ve done some construction there,” said Robert Alvarado. “Hawthorne is another one that needs that and around by the Naval Post Graduate School, they’re working on.”