Five Monterey County projects to receive more than $4 million in state funding.

More than $4.3 million in state funding has been secured for five projects across Monterey County, according to an announcement from State Sen. John Laird’s office. 

The funding, secured through the 2026-2027 budget, will support coastal protection and flood resilience, recreational opportunities, pedestrian and traffic safety, and public access. 

“These investments address a wide range of needs across Monterey County, from protecting homes and improving coastal resilience to creating more opportunities for young people, making our roads safer and improving public access,” Laird said.

A total of $1.8 million will go to Monterey County for the Scenic Road protective structure, supporting work near the mouth of the Carmel River and Carmel Lagoon to address coastal erosion that has put several residential properties along Scenic Road at risk. For years the County has looked at ways to mitigate flooding impacts for low-lying homes, installing temporary pumps and sandbag walls. The project aims to address this flooding and improve management of the Carmel River’s natural breach into the Pacific Ocean during major rain events.

Another $1.2 million was allocated to the Salinas Regional Sports Authority for the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex, funding that will support the expansion of the soccer complex where construction is currently underway on eight new soccer fields. The addition of the new fields are expected to bring the complex closer to becoming the largest sports and recreation facility of its kind between Los Angeles and San Francisco. The project is expected to be completed by spring 2027. 

A total of $618,000 will support traffic enforcement and public safety at Bixby Bridge in Big Sur, where a year-long no-parking moratorium went into effect in August. The moratorium was spearheaded by Supervisor Kate Daniels in response to residents and public safety officials who had raised concerns about emergency access and difficulty with commuting. The funding will pay for two full-time California Highway Patrol officers to enforce the 12-month parking prohibition around the bridge and monitor vehicle safety in the area.

$550,000 will support rehabilitation of the existing San Pablo Pedestrian Bridge and construction of ADA-accessible trail connections to adjacent Safe Routes to School routes. The bridge, which has connected Lincoln Cunningham Park and Manzanita Stuart Park since 1960, has been closed since 2023. 

And $150,000 will go toward addressing congestion at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, supporting recent moves by Monterey County Supervisors to pursue safety measures along Highway 1. On Sept. 23, supervisors approved pursuing emergency permits to implement no-parking restrictions in areas with narrow shoulders on the south side of the entrance, as well as increase the fines while they work to find a longer-term solution. The funding will go to the California Department of Parks and Recreation to support limited-term congestion management at the reserve, as well as prepare a comprehensive report addressing traffic congestion, public safety and public access.

“I’m pleased to have secured this funding and look forward to seeing these investments put to work in our communities,” Laird said.