SANTA MONICA — Monday, September 15, 2025 — The westbound lane of California Avenue between 7th and 5th Streets was closed today as crews from V&E Tree Service, Inc. began cutting down Red Ironbark (Eucalyptus sideroxylon) trees from the center median. Tree work is expected to continue through Thursday, with intermittent lane closures as the operation moves block by block.
The removals mark the opening phase of the City of Santa Monica’s California Avenue Street Reconstruction project, a six-block initiative stretching from Ocean Avenue to 7th Street. City engineers say the work will repair pavement buckled by invasive tree roots, upgrade storm-drain systems, and improve overall roadway safety for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians.
According to city documents, nineteen of the forty mature eucalyptus trees along the median will be taken down and ultimately replaced with a diverse mix of species—Silk-Floss, Arbutus Marina, and Chinese Flame—selected in consultation with the Urban Forest Task Force. The remaining trees will be pruned and maintained until the new plantings are established. Long-term plans call for a complete replacement of all forty median trees to reduce root intrusion and enhance species diversity.
In addition to tree work, the project includes new drainage improvements at 4th and 5th Streets, where frequent flooding has been a problem during heavy rains. Construction is expected to continue in stages through the summer of 2026, with periodic lane closures and parking restrictions as crews progress.
For project updates and background information, residents can visit santamonica.gov/california-ave-street-reconstruction.
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