DEL REY OAKS >> The Canyon Del Rey segment of the Fort Ord Regional Trail and Greenway project through Del Rey Oaks continues to take shape with work in one of the city’s park areas and various streets.

The 1.5-mile Canyon Del Rey segment is the first phase of the FORTAG project and runs from the intersection of North Fremont and Canyon Del Rey boulevards in Del Rey Oaks through Work Memorial and Del Rey parks, under Highway 218 — via a new roadway bridge constructed to carry vehicles using the highway — and into the corner of the Frog Pond Wetland Preserve, back up to Highway 218 at Carlton Drive and on to Plumas Avenue, where it ends at Del Rey Woods Elementary School in Seaside.

This week, FORTAG construction will see continued forming, installing rebar, pouring concrete, removing forms and backfilling for retaining walls and drainage systems in the Work Memorial Park area in Del Rey Oaks, continued grading, forming, installing rebar and pouring concrete for sidewalks, ramps and valley gutters along Plumas Avenue between Noche Buena and Highland streets in Seaside. There will also be continued grading, forming, installing rebar, pouring concrete, removing forms and backfilling for sidewalks, curbs and gutters, ramps and retaining curbs along Carlton Drive, continued drainage system improvements along Work Avenue between Saucito Avenue and Carlton Drive, and continued clearing and rough grading in the Frog Pond area.

Access to Work Memorial Park, the Butterfly Garden and tennis courts will be restricted during construction. The Frog Pond Wetland Preserve is closed for the remainder of stage one construction and is expected to reopen in October. Work Avenue between Saucito Avenue and Carlton Drive, including the island, will be closed through August.

Construction of the Canyon Del Rey Segment of the FORTAG project is being done in phases and different areas of the project will be affected at different times. As the project moves forward, residents and businesses will be provided additional notifications in advance of bridge foundation work (pile driving) and work that restricts driveway access. Construction is expected to last through August 2026.

Work hours are 7 a.m. — 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. The contractor’s plan is to limit the majority of work from 7 a.m. — 5 p.m. When needed, night work hours are from 9 p.m. — 6 a.m., Sunday through Thursday, unless authorized for specific operations with advance notice.

The Transportation Agency for Monterey County, the lead agency on the project, is working with Caltrans District 5, the cities of Del Rey Oaks and Seaside and the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District to complete the Canyon Del Rey segment of the FORTAG project.

The Fort Ord Regional Trail and Greenway is proposed as an approximately 28-mile continuous 12-foot-wide paved bicycle and pedestrian trail with an open-space buffer on both sides. FORTAG will connect to the existing Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail and will provide connections to unpaved trails in the Fort Ord National Monument.

The northern loop of FORTAG encircles Marina, following a 13-mile route that includes 3 miles of the existing Coastal Rec Trail. The southern loop of FORTAG encircles Seaside and bisects Del Rey Oaks, following a 15-mile route that includes four miles of the existing coastal trail system. The route includes spurs connecting with existing and planned bike/pedestrian infrastructure.

Several sections of the paved trail will link to nearby unpaved trails.

For information about the FORTAG project or to sign up for updates, visit https://www.tamcmonterey.org/fort-ord-regional-trail-greenway-canyon-del-rey or email 79829@publicinput.com.