Devil’s Slide Trail Named Project of the Year

Our recently completed Devil’s Slide Trail project has already been recognized with several awards, including the Project of the Year Award by the Silicon Valley Chapter of the American Public Works Association in the under $2 million category; the Bikeways & Trails Project of the Year Award from the American Society of Civil Engineers Region 9, which encompasses all of California; and an Excellence in Motion Merit Award from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission.

PlaceWorks was hired by the County of San Mateo to provide environmental review, community facilitation, and landscape architectural services for project. The new trail is located along the former State Highway 1, which was abandoned after the new Tom Lantos tunnels were completed through the adjacent mountain. With dramatic ocean views, this multi-use trail is expected to receive over 60,000 visitors a year and will provide access for pedestrians, bicyclists, and horseback riders along the former highway. The project required extensive coordination with wildlife agencies to carefully plan, schedule, and monitor construction in order to avoid disrupting a pair of nesting Peregrine Falcons on adjacent cliffs. PlaceWorks also worked with the County and the project civil engineers, BKF, to develop custom, aesthetic solutions for barrier fencing; to identify native plantings; and to design three overlooks to take in the spectacular views.