New update as of September 14, 2023
Stonesteps is open.
New update as of August 28, 2023
In June the City Building Official gave conditional approval to open Stonesteps Beach Access during the summer. The contractor will make final repairs to the structure following Labor Day from September 5th – 15th. Stonesteps will be closed to the public during the construction. Beach goers are encouraged to use Beacons or Moonlight Beach until the staircase is reopened.
New update as of June 21, 2023
During the afternoon of Wednesday, January 11, 2023, the City’s contractor and structural engineer determined the Stonesteps stairway platform and support beam were structurally compromised and unsafe. The structural engineer recommended replacement of the upper timber platform, in kind, utilizing the original as-built staircase details and updated technical specifications. An emergency declaration was made, and a contractor was procured to prepare bid documents and updated technical specifications. A contract for the repair work was executed on March 15, 2023 with JC Baldwin and procurement of materials began. Emergency repair materials including brackets and beams required custom manufacturing and treatment to meet the technical specifications and to hold up in the coastal conditions. Final materials arrived during the week of June 5. Emergency repairs were complete on June 21 and at 12noon, Stonesteps Beach Access reopened following the emergency repair. Additional work is required at the beach access and will be scheduled at a future date. This work will be initiated after permitting and material procurement takes place. The actual future work will be scheduled in advance outside the busy summer season with the contractor to minimize impacts to beach access.
New update as of June 15, 2023
The contractor hired to repair the Stonesteps Beach Access has made significant progress. The contractor is nearly complete with the work and has begun demobilizing from the site. The contractor will be onsite early Friday to install a few remaining pieces of the main deck. The structural engineer visited the site on Thursday morning to inspect the progress. The structural engineer will prepare a final report summarizing the repairs. The final report is anticipated to be ready for review in the next couple of days. The City Structural Engineer will review the final report, and if the work and final report are approved, Stonesteps will open early next week.
New update as of June 1, 2023
The contractor hired to repair the Stonesteps Beach Access has mobilized on site. The contractor began bracing and shoring the existing stairs so that they can remain in place, independent of the decking. The contractor anticipates shoring to be completed this week and will begin demolition of the deck and beams. Once demolition is complete, the contractor anticipates the repairs will take approximately two weeks pending the arrival of the structural beams. The two main structural beams are in transit from Northern California and the contractor will begin installation when they arrive.
To avoid further delays please do not enter the construction site. Residents and visitors that typically access the beach via the staircase are prohibited from using the staircase until access is granted again by the City of Encinitas. Beach goers are encouraged to use Beacons or Moonlight Beach until the staircase is reopened.
New update as of May 16, 2023:
The contractor hired to repair the Stonesteps Beach Access has ordered all the materials required for the repairs. All materials required for the repairs have been fabricated except for the two main structural beams. These beams have been custom sawn and are now in the process of being pressure treated. Staff met the contractor at Stonesteps earlier this week to provide access for the contractor to plan out staging materials. The contractor will begin mobilization and staging materials this week. The contractor is still waiting on the final materials delivery but is seeking prepare the site ahead of time. Once the final beams are delivered, the contractor anticipates the repairs to take up two weeks to complete.
New update as of May 9, 2023:
The contractor hired to repair the Stonesteps Beach Access has ordered all the materials required for the repairs. All materials required for the repairs have been fabricated except for the two main structural beams. These beams have been custom sawn and are now in the process of being pressure treated. The contractor plans to mobilize on site during the week of May 22nd when the lumber is anticipated to be ready. The contractor is exploring ways to expedite material delivery and will mobilize sooner if they are able to get the materials to the site sooner. Repairs are expected to take up to two weeks to complete.
New update as of April 19, 2023:
All materials required to repair the Stonesteps Beach Access have been ordered. The contractor has been meeting regularly with fabricators and is reviewing requirements to ensure that the materials meet the specifications of the project. Staff continue to provide access to the contractor as they verify final measurements.
The contractor anticipates that the material suppliers will complete fabrication and delivery in May. The contractor is planning to mobilize on the site the first week of May by setting up a storage container, fencing and portable restroom to ensure that they are ready to begin work when the materials are delivered. Repairs are expected to take up to two weeks to complete once all materials are on-site.
Older update:
During the afternoon of Wednesday, January 11, 2023, staff from the Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Arts Department, the City’s contractor and structural engineer determined the Stonesteps stairway platform and support beam are structurally compromised and unsafe. The structural engineer recommended to replace the upper timber platform, in kind, utilizing the original as-built staircase details and updated technical specifications.
An on-call structural engineer was hired to provide updated technical specifications required for the repair and replacement of the beams, brackets, and hardware. The City has hired a contractor qualified to make the repairs in conformance with the as-built details and technical specifications. The beams, brackets and bolts required to repair and replace the timber platform need to be custom manufactured per the technical specifications before the repairs can begin. The contractor is anticipating 6 weeks for materials lead time prior to beginning the repairs and an additional 2 weeks for the repair work to take place.
Residents and visitors that typically access the beach via the staircase are prohibited from using the staircase until access is granted again by the City of Encinitas. Beach goers are encouraged to use Beacons or Moonlight Beach until the staircase is reopened.
