Trail Construction Updates, and an Aerial Trail?

In this guest blog post by Yves Zsutty, Trail Manager for the City of San Jose, learn about the trails currently facing construction work. Frequent construction updates on these and other on-going trail work is also posted regularly on Twitter @SanJoseTrails. Also, read below information about the SKY Lane Trail Vision Study, an exciting view of how a continuous trail could be achieved by spanning over Highway 87 and beneath a future elevated high-speed rail line. Any questions or comments, leave them below, or direct them to Yves on the Twitter page or through email, Yves.Zsutty@sanjoseca.govLos Gatos Creek TrailThe City of Campbell is repaving portions of the popular trail system.  Per the map, they will need to close portions of the trail for 24 hour periods during August.  Persons visiting the trail will find barricades that prevent access. Coyote Creek TrailThe City of San Jose is expected to commence work to pave the trail system from Highway 237 Bikeway to Tasman Drive.  We anticipate that work will commence on July 25 (estimated), with construction taking about 4 months.  Persons that use the intersection Highway 237 Bikeway can continue to do so, but will lose direct access to Coyote Creek Trail during construction.Penitencia Creek Trail (Noble to Dorel)Construction work is occurring this summer to deliver a new section of trail near Alum Rock Park. There is currently no trail along the creek between Noble Avenue and Dorel Drive.Coyote Creek Trail (Shady Oaks Fitness Trail)A new 1.0-mile Fitness Loop will be linked to Coyote Creek Trail at the Shady Oaks Park pedestrian bridge in south San Jose (just north of Blossom Hill Road).  There is no trail at the existing site (former orchard), so this is a new destination for trail users along the popular trail system.The Trail Program’s 2015/16 Annual Report has been posted this week and provides a good overview of on-going development work:http://www.sanjoseca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/58020SKY Lane Trail Vision StudyThe San Jose Department of Parks, Recreation & Neighborhood Services’ Trail Program has released the SKY Lane Trail Vision Study which offers an exciting view of how an aerial trail through San Jose might be one means to tackle significant site challenges.  The study focuses on the eastern alignment of the  Three Creeks Trail and shows how a continuous trail could be achieved by spanning over Highway 87 and beneath a future elevated high-speed rail line.  Once overhead, the study proposes to sustain an aerial alignment to bypass major arterial roadways with signalized crossings that do not align well with the former railroad alignment.  The aerial trail would reach Kelley Park in order to link to Coyote Creek Trail, but also serve a regional audience with great access to San Jose’s open air museum at History San Jose, San Jose Giants Stadium, SJSU Spartan Stadium, and the San Jose Sharks Ice Centre.  The aerial trail could be reached from ramp systems along the route.The Study has three primary purposes; 1) provide a visual representation as to what is required to address major site challenges and barriers, 2) support discussions about the City’s resources and priorities as 42 miles of the 100-mile interconnected trail network remain to be developed, and 3) demonstrate that San Jose can envision world-class bike facilities on par with other leading bike and pedestrian-friendly cities.