Lake Drive Storm Drain and Manchester Outfall Project

The Lake Drive Storm Drain and Manchester Outfall Project, managed by the City of Encinitas, involves the replacement of a failing storm drain system to reduce flood risk and protect public safety. The scope of work includes removing temporary bypass piping and installing approximately 1,730 to 2,000 linear feet of 48-inch reinforced concrete pipe. Additionally, the project requires the construction of a permanent detention basin and a 25-foot-wide decomposed granite maintenance road. Maintenance activities at the Manchester Avenue site will focus on periodic sediment removal at the culvert outfall and J-Channel, with materials transported to approved landfills or beach placement sites. The project is located across two primary sites in Encinitas, California: an undeveloped canyon near Interstate 5 and a City right-of-way area adjacent to the San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve. Construction is estimated to take approximately 11 months, with a performance window between January 15, 2026, and November 30, 2031. The project has undergone extensive environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act, resulting in a Mitigated Negative Declaration and a Notice of Determination dated May 27, 2026. Key regulatory requirements include a Coastal Development Permit and coordination with Caltrans for work within the Interstate 5 right-of-way. Technical specifications mandate adherence to San Diego Regional Standard Drawings for pipe bedding and trench backfill.