The beach stairs at Maple and Sycamore avenues in Carlsbad are closed as crews tackle the next phase of the city's coastal stairway replacement project.
Carlsbad Boulevard between Oak and Pine avenues will be reduced to one northbound lane and one southbound lane to make room for construction equipment, City Manager Geoff Patnoe said in the city's Thursday, Oct. 22 update. The lane reduction extends through the Chestnut Avenue intersection.
The sidewalk between Pine and Sycamore avenues will also be replaced and widened during this phase. Two other sets of replacement stairs along the corridor are already finished and open to the public.
The city is replacing all four stairways along Carlsbad Boulevard between Hemlock and Pine avenues and widening the sidewalk between Cherry and Pine avenues, according to the city's project page. The project began in November 2025 and pauses each summer between Memorial Day and Labor Day. The current construction phase runs from fall 2026 through spring 2027.
Work takes place Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., except on federal holidays.
"Crews are working as quickly as possible, and the project remains on track for completion by summer 2027," Patnoe said.
Lake Calavera water level lowered ahead of rain
The water at Lake Calavera is sitting lower than usual. That is by design.
The Carlsbad Municipal Water District has proactively lowered the dam's water level to create additional capacity ahead of anticipated rainfall, Patnoe said in the same update. The dam is operating normally, and water district staff are monitoring levels closely.
As rainstorms arrive, the water level may temporarily rise with the rain but will then fall to a target set by the district through controlled releases. The drawdown helps manage high water levels and protect areas downstream.
The specific forecast driving the timing was not detailed in the update.
Residents can track the beach stairs project and construction updates on the city's website.
