California Construction News staff writer
The City of Santa Rosa broke ground April 14 on the Hopper Avenue Corridor Fire Recovery Improvements Project, beginning a $4.7 million effort to rebuild and upgrade a key roadway damaged in the 2017 Tubbs Fire and subsequent debris removal operations.
City officials say the project represents a milestone in the long-term recovery of the Coffey Park area and surrounding neighbourhoods, restoring a corridor that connects northwest Santa Rosa to Highway 101 and serves as a major route for residents, businesses and commuters.
“This project represents resilience, collaboration, and continued investment in a safer, stronger Santa Rosa,” the City said in a statement. “We’re excited to see construction begin and look forward to the improvements this project will bring to the Hopper Avenue corridor.”
The work will rehabilitate approximately 3,500 linear feet of roadway infrastructure along Hopper Avenue, which sustained significant damage during wildfire recovery operations following the 2017 disaster.
Funding for the project was supported in part through a portion of the City’s PG&E settlement funds, which the Santa Rosa City Council allocated in July 2021 toward rebuilding infrastructure in fire-affected areas.
The Council awarded the construction contract on Feb. 24, 2026, to Argonaut Constructors of Santa Rosa.
The scope of work includes pavement resurfacing and full roadway reconstruction, installation of landscaped median islands, and construction of bioretention basins for stormwater management. The project also calls for new sidewalks with widened planter strips, upgraded curb ramps to meet current accessibility standards, and new bike lanes to improve cycling connectivity along the corridor.
Utility upgrades are also included, with relocation of existing water and sewer lines and construction of a new storm drainage system.
City officials have said the improvements are intended to enhance safety, improve drainage and restore long-term reliability to a corridor heavily impacted during wildfire recovery operations.
