Here's the latest in San José trail developments from Trail Manager Yves Zsutty:
Lower Guadalupe River Trail
City staff is working with Caltrans to release the remaining federal funds to construct the 6.4 mile trail system from Highway 880 to Gold Street in Alviso. Construction will likely commence in May or June of 2012 and require a 12 month closure of the existing gravel trail. Staff is developing an Outreach Strategy with the intent of providing the most current project updates, schedule and other information as work proceeds. We intend to work with local media, the SVBC and others to keep Coalition members and the community up to date.
A project specific website will include current information, SVBC will receive monthly updates for posting, and the news media will have frequent reports to share on-line and over the air. Please feel free to share thoughts on how we can further improve outreach to the community – Contact the Trail Manager at Yves.Zsutty@sanjoseca.gov
Guadalupe River Trail – Railway Closure/Detour near Target (Coleman Avenue)
The trail is open once again along the east side of the river, from Coleman Avenue to Julian Street. The project was designed and managed by the Army Corps of Engineers. It saw replacement of the trestle structure and removal of the old “box” under-crossing. The new ramp is narrow, but more visually open and does not require travel through a confined space. See current photos at: http://www.sjparks.org/trails/GRiver/PalmStreetEntrance.htm
Guadalupe River Trail – Palm Street Ramp
The Santa Clara Valley Water District is completing work on the ramp structure that replaces the old Grant Avenue entrance at the southern end of the Guadalupe River Park (south of Woz Way). Within the next few weeks, trail users will be able to enter the trail from the new entry way located just south of the previous entrance. The new location is more visible and offers a more gentle slope for accessing the trail. See current photos at: http://www.sjparks.org/trails/GRiver/PalmStreetEntrance.htm
Three Creeks Trail Acquisition
The acquisition process to secure lands from Lonus Street (near Los Gatos Creek) to Minnesota Avenue continues. Negotiations and gathering of the various funding sources are proceeding. Acquiring the land is likely to occur before the end of 2011. Funding was secured through a Santa Clara Valley Water District grant to repair the trestle structure over Los Gatos Creek. Once land and structure are secured, a structural evaluation will occur and design of trestle surface improvements will occur for safer access for pedestrians and bicyclists. The Water District’s grant funding should be sufficient for construction of the improvements and some limited signage and fencing for an “interim” trail until more funds for landscaping and paving can be secured.
San Jose Trails in San Diego
City staff from the Parks and Recreation, and Public Works departments co-presented at this year’s American Society of Landscape Architects conference held in San Diego. The conference occurs every two years and draws landscape architects and other professionals from North America and internationally. Staff partnered with the City of Atlanta to discuss the challenges and opportunities in developing urban trail projects. San Jose has one of the nation’s largest trail networks and staff was able to share tips and strategies with conference goers on successful development within highly constrained and regulated project sites. The presentation and corresponding outline are posted on the “Reports” page, under “Recent Reports”: http://www.sjparks.org/Trails/TrailsReports.asp
Highway 237 Bikeway (Zanker to Coyote Creek)
Bids have been received and are now under review for construction of 0.6 mile of paved trail along the north side of the freeway. The project will include a recycled asphalt trail, reflective striping, and signage. The project is a showcase for some “green” approaches to trail construction; including the use of the existing roadway as a base structure, recycling of asphalt on-site and installation using a “warm-mix” technique that uses less energy and produces fewer pollutants. Construction should get underway early in 2012 with completion expected by April or May of 2012. The San Francisco Bay Trail board has decided to include the new trail as part of the official alignment which helps to advance development of this major regional trail system in the south bay.
Sign up for “SanJoseTrails” on Twitter for periodic updates on development work, trail closures, awards and other matters of interest. Some recent “tweets” included:
- - San Jose ranks 6th for living without a car – and 7th for most persons commuting by bike!
- - San Jose’s General Plan 2040 was adopted and includes an important focus on future trail development.
- - The Mercury News encouraged readers to enjoy a visit to the Los Gatos Creek Trail.
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