They made changes to the profile of the hill leading up to the cork screw, and extended the run off at the cork screw, as well as moved the pedestrian bridge right after the cork screw, closer to the cork screw. All of this was done at the behest of MotoGP, and their riders association, to improve safety for the riders at the track.
The ideas behind the changes being that the rough pavement, as well as the "lip" over the crest of the hill would throw riders off their bikes, and with the limited run off, could cause serious injury.
Also coming into the compression turn after the cork screw, there was a large fear of low siding, and the potential of a rider hitting the bridge abutment was considered high. So they moved it closer to the cork screw, preventing any collision from an incident ar the compression corner. Which simultaneously opened up more run off in that left hander.
Even though no incidents or injuries took place at those locations in all the years of the AMA running Super Bikes there, they were deemed valid issues, and changes were made. Mostly because Laguna Seca wanted to keep their contract with MotoGP, because it had been such a success.
Other minor changes to curb placement, rough patches of asphalt, drainage, and a minor reprofiling of the cork screw took place. But that was mostly all a byproduct of the repaving, and not from specific planned changes.
