Improvements underway for Carlsbad’s seawall promenade

Construction has begun on a multi-year, $13 million project to widen the sidewalks of Carlsbad’s oceanfront promenade and replace four sets of rusted and crumbling, steel-reinforced, concrete stairways from the top of the bluffs down to the beach.

“Work is being divided into two phases, with two stairways being replaced in each phase,” said Lindsey Hansen, communications and engagement manager, in an email Monday.

“The current phase is scheduled to be complete by May 2026, and includes replacing the stairways at Hemlock and Cherry avenues and widening the sidewalk between Maple and Tamarack,” Hansen said. “The next phase is scheduled for September 2026 to May 2027.”

Doing the work in two phases leaves people a way to walk to the beach during the construction in the 10 blocks along Carlsbad Boulevard between Pine and Tamarack avenues. Along with replacing the stairways and their foundations, the sidewalks west of the boulevard between Pine and Cherry avenues will be widened by 2.5 feet.

Crews were conducting exploratory drilling and taking soil samples Monday on top of the bluff as part of a separate, future project to build new ADA-compliant access ramps, she said. The exploratory work will help gather information needed to finish the project’s design, plan for construction and obtain the permits needed.

Workers also were preparing for the storm that arrived Tuesday by securing construction materials and placing sandbags and other materia...