Fairfield, CA
Home MenuGovernment » City Departments » Public Works » Water Division
Lopes Road Landslide
Subscribe to this page to receive e-mail and text alerts when new information is posted.
Learn about the Lopes Road restoration effort near I‑680. Assistant Engineer Jason Riley outlines the project’s key components, including slope stabilization, erosion control, utility line restoration, and the required collaboration with state and federal agencies.
Stay informed. Get involved.
CITY UPDATE, WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 2026
The Fairfield City Council voted 6-0 on July 21, 2026, to award Teichert Construction the contract for the Lopes Road Emergency Storm Damage Repair Project. The $9.34 million project will stabilize the hillside, replace damaged Fairfield and Benicia water lines, reconstruct Lopes Road, install new striping, and replace guardrails. Funding comes from a combination of federal, state, and local sources. A portion of Lopes Road has been closed for more than three years following a hillside collapse caused by heavy storms that also ruptured one of Benicia's primary drinking water lines. The contract was approved as part of the consent calendar, where all 11 items passed unanimously. Councilmember Doug Carr was absent from the meeting.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CITY UPDATE, WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2026
The City of Fairfield received final authorization from Caltrans to advertise the Lopes Road and Water Pipeline Reconstruction Project for construction bids. The project will be released for contractor proposals during the week of May 25, with bids expected to be received in mid-June. Construction is anticipated to begin in August 2026.
As the project moves forward, the City will continue to share updates and construction information with the community. We appreciate the public’s patience and support as we advance this critical infrastructure improvement project and look forward to reopening Lopes Road in spring 2027.
CITY UPDATE, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2025
The City of Fairfield continues to make progress toward the reconstruction of Lopes Road, which was severely damaged during the powerful winter storms of March 2023. The storms caused a landslide just south of Cordelia, damaging the roadway and two critical waterlines - Fairfield’s 30-inch potable waterline and Benicia’s 36-inch raw waterline.
Since the incident, this section of Lopes Road has remained closed while the City worked through the process of securing federal emergency funding.
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has approved the City’s Disaster Assistance
request for Emergency Relief, providing funding for the full reconstruction of the
roadway and slope stabilization - work that was previously ineligible for FEMA
assistance.
The FEMA-eligible portion of the project, which includes rebuilding the damaged water
utilities, is in the final stages of review. Full project funding is expected to be secured by
the end of 2025.
Final design plans and specifications are anticipated to be completed within the same
timeframe, with construction scheduled to begin in Spring 2026.
CITY UPDATE, THURSDAY, MAY 1, 2025
The City of Fairfield continues to make progress in the restoration efforts for Lopes Road, which sustained significant damage during the winter storms of 2023. A crucial step forward involves the water utilities, and the City has resubmitted a revised cost estimate of $3.1 million to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to cover the necessary repairs.
Pending FEMA approval of the revised cost estimate, the City anticipates that the utility repair project could be put out to bid as early as this summer or fall, with construction potentially commencing in the winter months. The City acknowledges the complexities of the federal review process, which can sometimes involve the resubmission of information due to changes in FEMA personnel. Fairfield remains committed to working diligently with FEMA to secure the necessary approvals to move forward and initiate the bidding process as soon as possible.
In a parallel effort, the cities of Fairfield and Benicia have finalized an amendment to their Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), originally approved by the City Council on February 6, 2024. This update to the agreement reflects the revised cost estimates and establishes a cost-sharing arrangement where soft costs, including design and permitting, are allocated 75% to Fairfield and 25% to Benicia. This updated MOU has also been submitted to FEMA and Caltrans.
Funding for the actual restoration of Lopes Road is being pursued through the Federal Highway Administration via the Caltrans Local Assistance program. City staff are actively engaged with Caltrans grant managers to secure this funding.
The City of Fairfield remains dedicated to restoring this critical infrastructure and will continue to provide updates to the community as the project progresses.
The diagram below represents where the City of Fairfield is at in its application for public assistance from FEMA. It can take up to a year for FEMA to obligate funds.
The City conducted a kick-off meeting with FEMA on August 8, 2023. Since then, the City of Fairfield has advertised a request for proposal soliciting design and engineering services to restore the Lopes Road hillside, roadway, and underground utilities. On September 22, 2023, the City received two proposals which were evaluated by City staff from Benicia and Fairfield. The Cities of Benicia and Fairfield plan to carry out the restoration as a joint project and expect to receive approval from each of their City Councils in early 2024. Meanwhile, staff from both Cities remain in close contact with FEMA and Cal-OES to ensure compliance.
In 2025, the City announced major progress, including FHWA approval for Emergency Relief funding and final reviews of FEMA‑eligible water utility work, with design expected to wrap up by the end of the year. Most recently, in May 2026, the City received final Caltrans authorization to advertise the reconstruction project, reflecting continued progress alongside ongoing FEMA coordination.
Documents related to the FEMA process will be stored here and updated regularly.
Documents related to the City's processes will be stored here and updated regularly.
City of Fairfield Emergency Proclamation
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with City of Benicia
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) – Amendment 1
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) – Amendment 2
To view the project plans and access the online project planroom, click here.
Supporting Resources:
Article: “City anticipates opening bids for Lopes Road repair in May” (Daily Republic, May 1, 2026)
Click on the thumbnail below for a story map that details the Lopes Road Landslide.
Lopes Road Drone Footage
Lopes Road mudslide damage in April 2023.
CITY UPDATE, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2025 - INFORMATIONAL WEBINAR
Watch the video above to get update on where the Lopes Road project currently stands and what’s planned next. Hosted by Councilmember K. Patrice Williams, this one-hour webinar will feature information from City engineers and includes Q & A.
This is your opportunity to hear directly from City of Fairfield engineers and leadership.
CITY UPDATE, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2025
The Lopes Road FEMA process has now entered the Project Review stage.
No special species were found during biological investigations last Fall. However, the City’s retained biologist will continue to monitor during construction to ensure that we remain in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Meanwhile, the City has filed a notice declaring statutory exemptions in accordance with CEQA.
Both the City of Fairfield and the City of Benicia, who have a cost sharing agreement for Lopes Road, have been submitting costs and working with FEMA to ensure compliance for future reimbursement. They will be seeking approval in February and March 2025, respectively.
Recently, the gates on both ends of Lopes Road had to be restored after someone drove through and damaged them.
Recent Press Release: https://www.dailyrepublic.com/news/more-steps-remain-to-lopes-road-restoration/article_148b70b2-dda0-11ef-a5e5-37fafad871a4.html
CITY UPDATE, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2024
Watch the latest update on Lopes Rd
CITY UPDATE, MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2024
The Cities of Benicia and Fairfield have completed a preliminary review of the design plans and are working with the City’s consultant to further develop the plans and contract documents. Additional field investigations were conducted in August and will continue in September to ensure that the Cities are in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act and the California Environmental Quality Act. Once completed, the Cities will seek federal environmental permit approvals prior to soliciting bids to start reconstruction. Federal environmental permit approvals are required to remain eligible for federal funding and must be completed prior to soliciting bids from construction contractors. As soon as the project is ready for construction, phasing will begin with restoration of utilities for both Cities. Construction of the City of Benicia’s water pipeline remains the first priority.
CITY UPDATE, WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2024
On March 28, 2024, the Cities of Fairfield and Benicia conducted a kickoff meeting with design services consultant Dewberry. Dewberry conducted field investigations to validate soil conditions throughout the month of April 2024 and a soils report is anticipated by the end of May 2024. Preliminary soils data suggests the presence of an earlier hillside slide estimated to be more than 35’ deep.
The estimated date for completion of the design and environmental permitting is October 2024. As soon as the project is ready for construction, phasing will begin with restoration of utilities for both cities. Construction of the City of Benicia’s water pipeline will be the first priority.
The City of Benica and Fairfield continue to work with CalOES and FEMA in order to ensure that both cities remain eligible to receive reimbursement from the State and Federal agencies.
CITY UPDATE, FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2024
On February 6, 2024, the Fairfield City Council awarded a design services contract to assemble engineering documents for permanent restoration of Lopes Road to Dewberry. Dewberry will also assist the City with project management and compliance with FEMA and Cal-OES grant funding requirements. Over the next several weeks, Dewberry will be conducting field investigations to validate pre-design work that began in January 2024. Additional field investigations will include land surveying, underground utility identification, and installation of additional temporary and permanent hillside monitoring wells.
For more information on the project, please visit https://www.fairfield.ca.gov/lopes.
For more information on the public assistance grant process, please visit https://www.fema.gov/assistance/public/process.
CITY UPDATE, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2024
Pre-Design Work Begins & City Council to Approve MOU and Selection off Firm
In March 2023, the hillside west of Lopes Road became saturated from the series of winter rainstorms, causing a failure in Lopes Road that broke the City of Benicia’s water supply line and other underground utilities. Since then, both cities have been working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and California Office of Emergency Services (Cal-OES) toward receiving financial support through the public assistance grants process. Additionally, both cities have been planning to ensure that all permanent restoration is completed in the most efficient and cost-effective manner.
Pre-design work in the form of soil investigations and local permitting have begun in advance of selection of a design services consultant. On February 6, 2024, City Council is scheduled to approve selection and award of a design services contract for the permeant repairs, as well as a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Cities of Fairfield and Benicia. The City of Benicia and Fairfield continue to work with CalOES and FEMA in order to ensure that both cities remain eligible to receive reimbursement from the State and Federal agencies.
SOCIAL POST FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2023
In mid-November, the city installed fencing and gates across Lopes Road at the north (approximately ¼ mile south of Gold Hill Road) and south (approximately ½ mile north of Marshview Road) ends of the affected portions of the road.
The City of Benicia and Fairfield have submitted a preliminary cost estimate and scope of work to Cal OES and FEMA. To ensure that both cities remain eligible to receive reimbursement from the state and federal agencies, Cal OES and FEMA must agree on the scope of permanent repairs.
Fairfield City Council is scheduled to approve the selection of a firm to complete the environmental review and engineering design on January 16, 2024.
SOCIAL POST TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2023
City to install fencing across Lopes Road
In mid-March 2023, the hillside west of Lopes Road became saturated from the winter rainstorms, causing a failure in Lopes Road that broke the City of Benicia’s water supply line and other underground utilities. Since then, the City of Fairfield has worked with the City of Benicia to temporarily reestablish Benicia’s water supply, as well as determine the full extent of damage to the City of Fairfield’s underground utilities. Both cities are working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and California Office of Emergency Services (Cal-OES) to receive financial support through public assistance grants.
City staff from the Cities of Benicia and Fairfield are working on a joint recovery project to ensure that restoration is completed most efficiently and cost-effectively. A request for proposal was issued for engineering and design and is currently under review.
In the meantime, the City of Fairfield must preserve the security of the affected area, and residents will see fenced gates installed across Lopes Road at the north (approximately a quarter mile south of Gold Hill Road) and south (approximately half-mile north of Marshview Road) ends of the affected portions of Lopes Road area. There is no permittance of pedestrian or cycling traffic, and the site will continue to be monitored.
For more information on the City’s status with FEMA/Cal-OES, as well as any progress updates pertaining to the project, please visit www.fairfield.ca.gov/lopes.
For more information on the public assistance grant process, please visit https://www.fema.gov/assistance/public/process.
SOCIAL POST TUESDAY, JULY 24, 2023
In mid-March 2023, the hillside west of Lopes Road became saturated from the series of winter rainstorms, causing a failure in Lopes Road that broke the City of Benicia’s water supply line and other underground utilities. As Fairfield Public Works crews responded to remove mud and debris, both the Cities of Fairfield and Benicia declared local emergencies which is the first step in seeking assistance from the State and Federal government.
In late March 2023, Governor Newsom announced that the White House approved the State’s request for federal assistance to support local response and recovery efforts. Since then, the City of Fairfield worked with the City of Benicia to reestablish Benicia’s water supply which has since been mostly restored, albeit through multiple temporary water lines which will remain in place until permanent repairs can be made to the hillside, roadway, and underground utilities. Design for all permanent repairs is dependent on existing soil conditions and is currently being studied.
On June 9, 2023, Solano County was added to the list of counties eligible for disaster related assistance (https://news.caloes.ca.gov/new-counties-added-to-the-presidential-major-disaster-declaration/). In order to receive financial support from the state and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), local agencies must submit a request for public assistance which only occurs after the applicant briefing. Local agencies received their invitation to attend the applicant briefing from the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal-OES) which is scheduled to occur on Monday, June 26, 2023.
Check back on this page for progress updates with the project design process.
This article was published in the Daily Republic newspaper on June 27, 2023.
SOCIAL POST TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2023
This project is now in the FEMA relief application process.
Currently Benicia is working on the second phase of the temporary bypass repair which will allow them to increase the current water flow to accommodate summer demands. Doing so will take time in order to avoid inducing another leak either up or downstream.
The City of Fairfield is currently working with the County to compile a request for reimbursement of funds from the State and/or FEMA. This request will ensure the City is reimbursed for restoration.
Although road work could potentially start later this summer, we don’t expect the road to open any time this year.
SOCIAL POST THURSDAY, MAY 11, 2023
On May 11, the Public Works Department met on-site with staff from Solano County, the City of Benicia, Cal OES, and FEMA to conduct a site visit on Lopes Road. The meeting aimed to assess the damage and preliminary costs to repair damaged roadways and water infrastructure permanently. This site visit is the initial step in seeking federal grant funding.
The main emphasis is the city of Benicia’s water supply. Crews are installing two more 12-inch water lines to bring the city back to full capacity. The residents and businesses have been under a mandated 20 percent conservation order.
Public Works staff have also started design efforts, as geotechnical engineering and topographic survey work are underway. Fairfield and Benicia Public Works Departments are coordinating a plan to bring the damaged infrastructure back into service. At this time, this portion of Lopes Road will remain closed indefinitely.
PRESS RELEASE FRIDAY, MARCH 31, 2023
On March 16, Public Works crews mobilized to remove mud and debris from a collapsing hillside on the southbound portion of Lopes Road within the City of Fairfield. At that time, there was no apparent damage to the roadway or buried utilities, but crews continued to monitor the situation.
Crews remobilized the following week to remove portions of the hillside that had slid further. After discovering significant cracking, the city coordinated with the State and County to close off the damaged section between Gold Hill Road to Marshview Road.
The hillside continued to worsen, eventually rupturing the City of Benicia's water line, one of their primary drinking water sources. The pipeline is currently out of service.
Multiple agencies and organizations, including the Cities of Benicia and Fairfield, Solano County, Valero Refinery, and Cal-OES, convened to determine phases of temporary repairs to bring Benicia's pipeline back into service. The portion of Lopes Road will continue to remain closed until further notice.
Staff will continue to coordinate with all affected parties and are in the process of setting up an incident command structure with the City of Benicia.
PRESS RELEASE FRIDAY, MARCH 31, 2023
Fairfield City Manager David Gassaway has issued a proclamation declaring the existence of a local emergency, as defined in Government Code Section 8558, in compliance with Government Code Section 8630 and Section 6.6(a)(1) of the Fairfield Municipal Code.
Conditions of severe hillside slope failure along Interstate 680, destroying Lopes Road south of Gold Hill Road, were caused by storm event flooding and stormwater runoff. Situations of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property have arisen, and the public is warned to stay away while emergency crews respond to the hillside failure.
The City Council shall take action to ratify the City Manager’s proclamation within seven days, or the local emergency shall not remain in effect. The City Council will consider ratifying the proclamation at their regular meeting on Tuesday, April 4, 2023.