8 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JANUARY 15-21, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com A highly visible stretch of dunes west of Highway 1 between Marina and Seaside is getting a makeover, with two projects under construction simultaneously. That work is leading to delays and reroutes for both drivers and bicyclists. One project is California State Parks’ new campground at Fort Ord Dunes State Park at the northern end of the project site. The other is the five-mile SURF! busway developed by Monterey-Salinas Transit, parallel to Highway 1. Both projects are happening at the same time after facing different challenges, such as funding, permitting and redesign. “As a result, the Beach Range Road trail that we’ve been utilizing for biking and pedestrian access is not accessible for a period of about two years,” County Supervisor Wendy Root Askew says. She notes the alternative trail, east of the chain-link fence and nearer to Highway 1, doesn’t offer the same flexibility and it hasn’t been properly maintained. Much of the paved surface is bumpy, and some sections include overgrown vegetation. Root Askew’s team has received numerous calls about the reroute, especially from people who commute to CSU Monterey Bay and Marina using Beach Range Road, which has exits onto Divarty and 8th streets. Many are now using the parallel Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail. Other alternatives for bicyclists include General Jim Moore Boulevard (which does not have a dedicated bike lane) and routes through Fort Ord, but may increase commute times. In December, Root Askew, State Parks and MST organized a virtual meeting to share updates and hear from the community to seek solutions. About 70 people tuned in. “We’re about a quarter of the way through the project at this point,” said Dan Shaw, the Monterey District superintendent for California State Parks. The Fort Ord Dunes Campground will include 98 campsites, with new bike and pedestrian trails. It is anticipated to open in 2027. Construction on the SURF! busway began in September, removing train tracks to make way for a dedicated bus rapid transit lane connecting bus stations in Sand City and central Marina. Once both projects are completed, Beach Range Road will reopen and the trail system will be lengthened. “This project will extend the bike trail a mile,” MST CEO Carl Sedoryk says. “It’s a multi-modal project designed to benefit [all types of] transit.” The new owners of the Salty Seal on Cannery Row noticed something was amiss when they looked at the guest list for their soldout 2025 New Year’s Eve 21-and-up party. After being tipped off on social media by attendees, co-owner Jade Vucina communicated to co-owner Ian Karafa that several ticketholders were likely under 21 years old. Vucina cross-referenced the list with social media accounts and estimated between 20 and 30 ticket-holders were under the age limit. “I went through the whole guest list,” Vucina says. Karafa adds, “We saw individuals posting pictures of high school graduation in May 2025 and used that to our advantage.” Salty Seal bouncers were notified, and received a list of suspicious names in advance. Vucina and Karafa say fake IDs have gotten harder to detect, even with ID scanning equipment. So effective Jan. 1, they started implementing a new policy that will remain in effect indefinitely for patrons in the evening hours (after Salty Seal switches from an all-ages restaurant to a club). Those under 24 are required to be vetted by staff, meaning they must present two forms of identification—such as a birth certificate or passport to prove their age and identity. They are then added to a list and when they return, are required only to present one form of ID, such as a driver’s license when security checks IDs. Karafa and Vucina view the Monterey Police Department as allies. Karafa approached a Monterey police officer before the festivities began to share potential problems. The officer did not immediately take action since a crime had not yet been committed. One underage person who was denied entry called the police to say other underage patrons were attempting to enter. Vucina, Karafa and the officer were ahead of the game, and the caller was banned from the venue. Vucina also warned several other local bars about the issue via social media. “If it’s happening here then it’s happening elsewhere,” she says. Off Rail Two construction projects along Highway 1 in Marina lead to challenges for cyclists. By Celia Jiménez NEWS PUBLIC PERCEPTION Monterey City Council meets to discuss the results of a poll gauging the public’s interest in a tax measure to help close its $10 million budget deficit. Public comment is accepted. 4pm Tuesday, Jan. 20. Colton Hall, 580 Pacific St., Monterey. Free. (831) 6463799, monterey.gov. WORKING IT Monterey County Works hosts a job fair to connect local employers with job seekers. Attendees are encouraged to bring their résumés and dress to impress. 1-4pm Wednesday, Jan. 21. Career Center, 344 Salinas St., Suites 205206, Salinas. Free. (831) 796-3335. Register at montereycountyworks.com. SCHOOL DAY South Monterey County Joint Union High School District Board of Trustees meets to discuss district business. Public comment is accepted. 5pm Wednesday, Jan. 21. Greenfield High School Library, 225 S. El Camino Real, Greenfield. Free. (831) 385-0606, smcjuhsd.org. IN CLASS North Monterey County Unified School District Board of Trustees meets and accepts public comment. 6pm Thursday, Jan. 22. North Monterey County High School media center, 13990 Castroville Blvd., Castroville. Free. (831) 633-3343, nmcusd.org. SPIRITED DISCUSSION Marina City Council meets to discuss regular city business. The agenda includes considering allowing a convenience store at 320 Reservation Road to sell alcohol. 6:30pm Thursday, Jan. 22. Marina City Council Chambers, 211 Hillcrest Ave., Marina. Free. (831) 884-1278, cityofmarina.org. BUILDING A BUDGET The City of Salinas seeks public input on residents’ budget priorities. Share your feedback on what the city should focus on for 2026-2027. Survey ongoing at bit.ly/ SalinasBudget2026. Free. yesenia. nunez@salinas.gov. DEEP DIVE Monterey residents 16 years and older are invited to participate in the First City Academy. The program allows residents to learn about city programs and how the government operates. Academy runs Thursdays 6-8pm from March 4-May 14. Free. Apply at monterey.gov/firstcityacademy. (831) 6463760, suggest@monterey.gov. Fake Out After underage adults attempt to enter a New Year’s Eve party, Salty Seal implements new rules. By Sloan Campi MST and State Parks have worked together to add signage noting temporary alternative routes cyclists can use while construction is underway. E-MAIL: publiccitizen@montereycountynow.com PUBLIC CITIZEN “The trail is not accessible for a period of about two years.” CELIA JIMÉNEZ
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