Monterey in the midst of a $100 million-plus infrastructure boon.

For years, Monterey has had a $200 million wish list of city improvement projects, but that list is becoming much shorter. The city is in the midst of more than a $100 million construction boom to overhaul its aging 

infrastructure.

“I do not recall a time we’ve invested so much in my 19 years in the city,” says Assistant City Manager Hans Uslar. “This is pretty amazing.”

The largest capital improvement underway is the $45 million remodel of the Monterey Conference Center. The aging 1970s structure has been losing out on business to newer conference venues. The conference center upgrade is funded by a bond that will be paid by a special tax on Monterey hotels and motels.

Another $32 million in spending comes through Measure P, a 1-percent sales tax approved by voters in 2014 that expires in early 2019. Through the revenue generated, more than 700 city blocks are being repaved. The city is also replacing storm drains and repairing sidewalks.

Another significant project the city is currently tackling is revamping its aging sewer system. The $16 million overhaul will replace 27,000 feet of Monterey’s 102 miles of sewer lines and 400 manhole covers.

Other projects include a $10 million roundabout near the intersection of Highway 68 and Highway 1 that will start this spring, and a $10 million bike and pedestrian upgrade to North Fremont Street slated to begin in 2017.

“The one message we need to send out is please be patient,” Uslar says. “The traffic will get on the nerves of some people.”