Lofgren, Panetta Announce Nearly $40 Million for Levee and Floodwall Construction along Pajaro River

WATSONVILLE, CA – On Monday, September 29 U.S. Representatives Zoe Lofgren (CA-18) and Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) announced that the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers awarded Granite Construction Company a $39,330,400 firm-fixed-price contract for levee and floodwall construction. This work will be performed along the Pajaro River in Watsonville, California.

“The residents and businesses in Watsonville and along the Pajaro River have been waiting far too long for necessary flood protection. This levee and floodwall construction will help save lives and property, and we are encouraged to see that this critical project is moving forward,” said Reps. Zoe Lofgren and Jimmy Panetta.

In early 2023, atmospheric river storms along California’s Central Coast devastated communities, including Watsonville and Pajaro. The Pajaro River levee breech caused severe flooding, displacing families, damaging over 200 homes, and causing at least 20 casualties.

This funding was authorized by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, for which both Reps. Lofgren and Panetta voted in favor.

Construction is estimated to be completed by September 11, 2027.

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