On April 14, 2026, experts convened for the third workshop in a series focused on enhancing coastal resilience of California roadways. The workshop centered on a case study of Scott Creek Beach, a rural site in northern Santa Cruz County that serves as a vital habitat for endangered species and a critical link in the state’s transportation network. A team of representatives from the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), the California Coastal Commission, Greater Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries, the Greater Farallones Association, and Point Blue Conservation Science led the workshop.
Scott Creek is a high-energy wave environment where the lagoon, river, dune, and marsh systems are currently constrained by the existing Highway 1 configuration. At this site, Highway 1 has had emergency stabilization actions applied but a deteriorating bridge and need for a more resilient roadway resulted in Caltrans and California Coastal Commission collaborations to address the unique needs of the site. Ideally, a proactive adaptation project will move forward before additional emergency maintenance costs deplete the state budget, sidelining projects with better return on investment.
The workshop brought together experts, including over 70 Caltrans employees from Districts 4 and 5, along with California Coastal Commission employees, to explore the history of the site, its vulnerabilities, inherent limitations of traditional coastal armoring, and natural infrastructure alternatives. The proposed adaptation for Scott Creek involves elevated bridge and roadway reconfigurations that accommodate lagoon restoration and allow natural processes to return, avoiding the “coastal squeeze” caused by rising seas. By aligning infrastructure with the natural landscape, the project aims to reduce flooding hazards in the watershed while maintaining regional transportation needs.
Following the workshop, attendees proceeded to a site visit to explore the needs and challenges in more detail. This meeting showcased what has been a collaboration for more than 10 years and marks a critical step in taking a holistic view of a transportation site rather than traditional infrastructure planning processes that often focus on one aspect of transportation, to ensure this critical infrastructure fulfills its service life (75-100 years) while preserving public access to the beach and protecting sensitive species.
Prior meetings in the series included:
The workshop and study are supported by NOAA’s Effects of Sea Level Rise (ESLR) Program and authorized by the NOAA Authorization Act of 1992, Pub. L. 102-567 (Oct. 29, 1992); sec. 201(c), which directs appropriation for the NCCOS Competitive Research Program to augment and integrate existing NOAA programs, with a specific focus on improving predictions of coastal hazards and protecting human life and property.