Pedestrian overcrossing closer to construction
Designed to link the west and east sides of southern Woodland
The bridge is designed to link the west and east sides of southern Woodland.
A pedestrian overcrossing designed to link the east and western sides of south Woodland is another step closer to construction.
This past week, the Woodland City Council approved the Sports Park Drive Pedestrian Overcrossing Project, during its teleconference meeting. The decision was on a 5-0 vote and moves the project closer after years of discussion and budgeting.
The city’s approved capital budget includes $5.110 million for the overcrossing and $1.45 million in funding from Southeast Area Infrastructure funds. The agreement stipulates the assignment of responsibilities between the city and Caltrans.
The complete project consists of the design and construction of a bicycle/ pedestrian crossing over Hwy. 113 along with the alignment of Sports Park
Drive to the west of Hwy. 113 and Farmers Central Road, which is to the east of Hwy. 113.
The overcrossing will combine with Spring Lake bikeway infrastructure to complete a bicycle/pedestrian connection along the south side of town from County Road 102 to East Street. It would be located between a half-mile and one-mile south of Gibson Road and be able to accommodate only pedestrians, bicycles or other lightweight, wheeled transport such as e-Scooters.
In January 2018, the council indicated a pedestrian bridge was a priority at a study session setting goals for 2019, noting that city and school officials have cited the risk students face from traffic when walking to and from Pioneer High School as they cross the Gibson Road crossing of Hwy. 113.
According to Brent Meyer, acting community development director and city engineer, there are also long-range plans to further extend the pathway from East Street to Ashley Avenue creating a continuous bike system across town which will enable residents to access the existing north/ south bike lane corridors throughout the entire city.
That bike lane could be on the city’s extreme southern side. About five years ago, a water line linking a storage tank at Douglass Park near County Road 98 and West El Dorado Drive was built running underneath the earth to the water treatment plant at the extreme end of Gibson Road. That gravel pathway has been left untouched to allow for access in case of problems.
Part of the project is located within the state’s right of way and work within that right of way will need to be completed under an encroachment permit, Meyer explained.
That means Caltrans will work with engineer Mark Thomas, who was hired by the city in November 2017 to design the overcrossing. Caltrans will participate on the bridge type selection during the design phase of the project.
The project also requires a Cooperative Work Agreement with the state to ensure it meets “Caltrans Project Delivery Quality Management Processes” and provide some oversight on certain project aspects and assign responsibilities for each project component between the city and Caltrans.
City staff anticipate finalizing the project design in early 2021 with an anticipated construction start date in summer 2021.
The overcrossing is only one of the latest transportation projects underway in the southeast area. County Road 25A, for example, is continuing to be extended and buffered bike lanes. That project includes a roundabout at Miekle Avenue, storm drain utilities, street lighting and landscaping.
The council indicated a pedestrian bridge was a priority at its January 2018 study session setting goals for 2019, noting that city and school officials have cited the risk students to traffic when walking to and from Pioneer High School as they cross the Gibson Road crossing of Hwy. 113.