Foster City Levee Improvements

In order to maintain Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) accreditation and keep Foster City properties out of the flood zone, this Foster City Levee project constructed 6.5 miles of sea walls, upgrading the existing levee structure, and increasing the height of the levee. The project included 22,100 LF of Sheet Pile Floodwall, 5,100 LF of Earthen Levee and 4,100 LF of Convention Floodwall. In certain sections where land area is constrained, a secondary retaining wall was constructed on the landside of the trail to transition the elevated levee grade down to the existing grade. In addition to raising the levee, the project included redevelopment and widening of the levee Bay Trail and construction of two bridges to increase tidal circulation to enhance the O’Neill Slough in the southern segment of the project site. The Foster City levee system, surrounding the majority of the outer bay-front perimeter of the City, is crucial in providing protection from flood hazards and storms.

MCK provided Cost Estimating, Inspection, Office Engineering and scheduling services to Tanner Pacific who holds the prime contract for this project, which maintains the levee along the Foster City Bayfront, surrounding most of the City perimeter. Construction elements consist of sheet pile, concrete levees and boardwalk appurtenances. Although the estimate trended high, it was in the median range of the bid spread and was beneficial to the City in obtaining proper funding with contingencies for this project. The project completed in 2023 with much local fanfare and ribbon cutting.