Storm Repair Price Tag Currently $52 Million
The cost to repair storm-damaged roads and other critical infrastructure in Alameda County is expected to exceed $52 million, which includes $6 million to repair a section of A Street that washed out into San Lorenzo Creek, officials said last Thursday.
But expect A Street between 4th Street and Charlene Way to be closed for quite a while as rainy conditions sweep through the East Bay, potentially adding to the storm damage.
“Eye-popping to just see it in that standing because so many of us have relied on the local infrastructure here.”
More than 20 different sites in the county were damaged or destroyed due to heavy rains in the past month, including sections of Redwood Road past the golf course, Crow Canyon Road near the county line, Eden Canyon Road, and Lake Chabot Road along the west side of the lake. Castro Valley was pelted with more than 7 inches of rain at the end of December and nearly 5 inches since the beginning of 2023.
U.S. Congressman Eric Swalwell visited the A Street site last week with emergency officials to survey the damage.
“Eye-popping to just see it in that standing because so many of us have relied on the local infrastructure here,” Swalwell said.
Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in California on January 8. This allows Alameda County to get federal resources such as people and equipment to fix roads and infrastructure. The county is paying for the repairs upfront.
Rep. Swalwell is asking the government to issue a Major Declaration Act to reimburse the county for the millions of dollars they are spending.
"When we talk about being paid back, we want not only federal and state resources. We want the counties to be reimbursed," Swalwell said.
Swalwell also advised local businesses impacted by the storms to seek federal aid and work with the Small Business Administration for help.
Because A Street is a major connection between Hayward and Castro Valley but is closed in the eastbound direction, traffic is being rerouted elsewhere while people are getting frustrated.
Meredith Judkins with Eden Pet Hospital says the heavy rain and the damage to A Street have impacted some of the hospital's business.
"Some of our clients are scheduling later in the day to get around the traffic," Judkins said. "We're directing people to take Foothill or Mission Boulevard and then take Grove Way or highway 238 to get to us."
For people like Hayward resident Richard Avery, however, being a local has advantages.
"Thankfully, I know the back streets, so I can get to the bank or my favorite coffee shop in Castro Valley," Avery told the Forum. "I also know to avoid this area at certain times of the day, typically between 3:30 and 6:00 in the evening. That's when the traffic will really back up."
Alameda County Public Works Agency (ACPWA) is currently looking at ways to stabilize the creek bank before making more permanent repairs. No timeline was given.