Sentinel staff report–
Plans for a 2.9-mile multi-use trail that would connect multiple parks in Citrus Heights continue to move forward, with a contract for plans and environmental documentation nearing a cost of $1 million.
The total cost of the project from start to finish has been estimated at just over $7 million, with most of the funding coming from a $5.8 million state grant. The Active Transportation Program SB1 Augmentation grant was awarded to the city in 2017 to pay for right-of-way, design and construction phases of what is known as the “Electric Greenway Trail Project.”
The project derives its name from the area the path will travel along, largely following an existing SMUD easement under power lines. The trail will travel from Wachtel Way through a residential neighborhood, continue over to Woodside K-8, and then pass through several parks before concluding in the Sunrise MarketPlace shopping area.
The project also includes a new signalized crossing on Fair Oaks Boulevard, pathway lighting, sidewalk and curb installation on a portion of Oak Avenue, drainage and landscaping improvements, as well as traffic signal modifications.
Related: City releases new video highlighting 3-mile Citrus Heights trail project
On Thursday night the Citrus Heights City Council will consider a contract amendment with GHD, Inc., to increase a “not-to-exceed” contract by about $75,000 more, bringing the contract total to about $957,000. GHD was contracted by the city in 2018 to provide support for the project approval and environmental documentation phase of the trail.
A letter to the city from GHD included in the council’s Sept. 10 agenda packet indicates trail lighting will now be included on the entirety of the trail, rather than only in certain sections as originally proposed. The addition of a CCTV security camera west of Villa Oak Drive has also been added to the scope of the project, along with other modifications.
From 2019: New 3-mile trail in Citrus Heights draws support, opposition
An openhouse event for the trail project held last year drew interest and support from some residents, along with strong opposition from residents on Olivine Way who didn’t want the trail going through an existing easement in their backyard. Many common questions received by the city also express concerns about safety and security on the trail.
The Electric Greenway Trail Project was approved as a “priority 1” project in a Creek Corridor Trail plan approved by the City Council in 2014 and was also included in a Pedestrian Master Plan approved in 2016.
The city is currently asking community members to submit name ideas for the trail, with submissions accepted through the end of October. City spokeswoman Nichole Baxter said the project is on track to begin construction next year, likely in the spring or summer.
Name ideas for the trail can be submitted on the city’s Trail & Park Naming Project web page. (click here)
