February 2014 updates on San José trails

Thanks to Yves Zsutty of San José's Trails Program for this update. There are many exciting projects moving forward!Los Gatos Creek Trail Under-Crossing (San Carlos Street)Survey work has been completed to supply the design team with topography data to plan for the trail extension and under-crossing for the trail as it passes beneath the Caltrain railway. The project will extend the trail from its current entrance at San Carlos Street (frontage road) to Bird Avenue. City staff is working collaboratively with Caltrain and the City’s Department of Transportation to ensure that the trail, replacement railway bridge, San Carlos Street Bridge replacement and High-Speed Rail can all function and occupy the constrained and ecologically-sensitive site. The posted Master Plan for Reach 5 of the trail system offers more information on the future alignment: http://www.sanjoseca.gov/index.aspx?nid=2872Los Gatos Creek Trail at Auzerais Avenue – Del Monte ParkConstruction has just begun on the Del Monte Park project located to the west of the trail, between Auzerais Avenue and Home Street. The first phase of this park’s development will include a restroom, dog park, turf and seating areas. The Los Gatos Creek Trail will remain open during construction, but expect some dust as the new park takes shape.Three Creeks Trail (Lonus Street to Guadalupe River Trail)The Master Plan and related environmental document are being prepared at this time. Staff anticipates presenting the master plan to the City’s Parks and Recreation Commission in August. The plan would be presented to Council in September. Staff submitted a grant application several months ago in an effort to secure $1.9M for construction of the planned trail system. The State has recently asked the City for some supplemental data so the project continues to be in the running. The Trail System web page includes past presentations from the community meetings held for the master plan. Design of the pedestrian bridge to span over Los Gatos Creek is being finalized and prepared for bid. http://www.sanjoseca.gov/index.aspx?nid=2883Guadalupe River Trail – Tasman Under-CrossingPlans have been finalized to elevate the existing under-crossing by 3’. This change in elevation will reduce the tidal flooding experienced at this location. Staff is seeking permits from several agencies at this time, and construction is expected to commence in June 2014 and be complete by October 2014. A temporary closure during construction is anticipated which will require an on-street detour.Penitencia Creek Trail – Reach 7A (King Road to Berryessa BART Station)Kick-off of the design process occurred on February 20. The VTA will lead design, and is working closely with the City’s Parks and Transportation Departments on the trail and traffic signal improvements. The trail will follow the south bank of the creek and connect to the existing trail east of King Road. A schedule for construction is not yet available.Silver Creek Trail – Dobern Bridge to Story Road (along Capitol Park)Construction commenced in January. he project will widen and repair and existing narrow path through Capitol Park and reconstruct the existing pavement between Van Winkle Lane and Story Road. The pavement treatment will include a stamped “fish” graphic to reinforce the riparian nature of this trail system as it travels overland. Construction is expected to be done by May 2014.Coyote Creek Trail – Story to Selma Olinder ParkConstruction documents have been prepared to the 95% stage, with final plan development now underway. Staff anticipates the project going to bid in early summer if there are no permitting restrictions. The project will include the use of brick as a design element within the trail gateways. Use of brick recalls the Remillard Brick Company, which produced building materials nearby for the region, including bricks used for reconstruction of San Francisco after the 1906 earthquake.Other active projectsConstruction documents are being prepared for the following future trail projects:

• Coyote Creek Trail (Highway 237 Bikeway to Tasman Drive) – Design work underway.
• Lower Silver Creek Trail (Alum Rock to Highway 680) – Design work underway.
• Penitencia Creek Trail (Dorel Drive to Nobel Avenue) – Seeking permits for construction during summer 2014
• Thompson Creek Trail (Tully Road to Quimby Road) – funds in place for construction but revisiting design to support regular and heavy maintenance along the channel.
• Los Alamitos Creek Trail (Harry Road extension) – design work completed, seeking to construction during summer 2014.

Grant WritingStaff is preparing a grant to secure funds for the EPA to study and design alterations to the in-channel crossing along the Coyte Creek Trail, near the Singleton Landfill. The intent is to advance design and construction of a free-span bridge in order to remove the obstruction to threatened species within the channel. The bridge would also support year-round crossing of the creek.More informationFollow “SanJoseTrails” on Twitter for frequent trail related news items.Register for Trail Closure and Special Event Updates about trail meetings on the Trail Program’s homepage (see calendar on right hand margin).