Insider Edition #109 - October 15, 2026

Headed by Town Engineer/Public Works Director Shannon Cotulla, the Engineering Division is responsible for implementing the Town’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) on the roads, water, wastewater, and stormwater systems. The division also oversees the public infrastructure parts of land development projects, reviews private development projects, manages construction in the public right of way, issues permits, conducts inspections, and ensures projects meet Town codes and standards.

Much of the division’s work happens behind the scenes, but residents see the results throughout the community—from new sidewalks and safer pedestrian crossings to road improvements and major development projects.

From Development Review to Construction

When a development application reaches the referral stage, Engineering works closely with the Planning Division to review the proposal from a Public Works perspective, looking at elements such as transportation, drainage, utilities, access, and other public infrastructure needs.

Once an application is complete, it moves forward to the Planning Commission and Town Council, as applicable, where the project can be reviewed by the public. 

“We strive to keep the public informed on how the various projects might impact the Town,” says Deputy Director of Engineering, Carl Euphrat, noting that both Planning Commission and Town Council meetings provide the opportunity for public comment. The project webpages on the Town’s website are also updated regularly to give residents easy access to project information (https://www.townofwindsor.ca.gov/1296/EngineeringConstruction-Projects).

Senior Civil Engineer Alejandro Perez (Transportation Engineering and CIP) says the level of service provided to Windsor residents is something the division takes particular pride in, as the team makes every effort to respond to any and all public comments, requests or feedback.

Following approvals, the project returns to Public Works for development-related review, permitting, inspections, and construction coordination. All of this is done to ensure the project is carried out in a way that best serves and protects the Windsor community, its needs and priorities.

Current Projects and Challenges

With about a dozen development projects currently under construction, there is rarely a quiet moment for the Engineering team. Residents can view a current map of Engineering and Construction Projects by visiting the Town’s website:  https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/2fb4692c4ddd422e91420ffb74c7a982. 

A common misconception about Engineering’s work is how many projects are active at any given time. For Kat Harvey, Senior Civil Engineer (Development and Permits), juggling project priorities while short-staffed for the past two years has been the biggest challenge for her team. 

“Despite the demands, I am proud of the team’s performance and their ability to maintain comparable delivery times.”

In addition to development projects, several CIP projects are also underway or expected to begin soon: 

Old Redwood Highway Pavement Preservation Project: Rehabilitating the pavement along Old Redwood Highway, from Pan Abode Court to Lakewood Drive with upgraded bicycle lanes, ADA-compliant pedestrian ramps, enhanced crosswalks, bus stop facility upgrades where possible and bringing existing ramps up to current standards. (Learn More)

Dawn Way Drainage Conveyance Improvements Project: Installation of a new concrete box culvert to increase drainage capacity, replacement of an existing open roadside ditch with a subsurface drainage system, and construction of curb, gutter, and sidewalk improvements to strengthen the Town's storm drainage infrastructure, reduce the risk of property damage, improve roadway safety during major storms, and enhance pedestrian conditions along the corridor. (Learn More)

Downtown Pedestrian & Bicycle Crossing of US 101: Improvements to safety through construction of a dedicated two-way cycle track and widened pedestrian area under US-101. (Learn More)

Secondary Process Improvements: Renovation of the aging wastewater treatment plant to modernize it increase treatment capacity for the future needs of the community will begin construction this winter.

On the horizon, the Old Redwood Highway Complete Streets Project—from Windsor River Road to Arata Lane—is in design. The grant-funded project is intended to improve pedestrian and multimodal travel along the corridor.

The wastewater Biosolids Handling facility is in development and is expected to begin construction next spring. The new facility will eliminate escalating contract costs, generate revenue, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 1,000 tons per year. 

The division is always working to address one of the community’s ongoing challenges: aging infrastructure and the cost of maintaining and improving it. Perez and his team just recently helped secure an additional $4 million in One Bay Area Grant Cycle 4 (OBAG4) funding for the Downtown Crossing project, bringing the total amount of grant funds to approximately $8 million for the project. Pursuing grants is one way the Town works to leverage outside funding for major infrastructure improvements, including paving projects. The wastewater treatment program is securing $100 million in low interest (2%) state subsidized loans for the Secondary Process Improvements and Biosolids Handling facility, which is projected to save the Town $25 to $30 million compared to bond financing.

Even with funding in place, construction timelines are rarely as straightforward as they may appear. A project’s start date can depend on a variety of factors, many of which are outside the Town’s control.

“In spite of our efforts to plan and program projects,” Perez explains, “project schedules can be affected by funding requirements, weather, contractor availability, permitting, and other factors which impact when construction actually begins.”

The team tries to accommodate the school calendar and other community considerations whenever possible.

Looking Ahead

As Windsor continues to evolve, the Engineering Division will remain focused on maintaining and improving the infrastructure residents rely on every day. While the work is often complex and influenced by factors beyond their control, the team remains committed to finding solutions, responding to residents, and protecting the community’s interests. From the roads we drive on, to the sidewalks we walk on, to the water we drink, Engineering’s work helps shape the places and infrastructure that make Windsor work—and keeps the community moving forward.

For more information:
Town of Windsor Engineering Division, Public Works Department
Engineering Division: https://www.townofwindsor.ca.gov/223/Engineering-Division
Engineering/Construction Projects: https://www.townofwindsor.ca.gov/1296/EngineeringConstruction-Projects
8400 Windsor Rd
(707) 838-1007