City: Bay to Zoo Trail to cost at least $7M
The city of Eureka’s public works department recently held an informational meeting detailing the proposed Bay to Zoo Trail, a project expected to cost at least $7 million.
During Thursday’s meeting, local residents were able to learn about the project, its amenities and potential impact in the community.
Eureka Public Works Manager Brian Gerving said bringing the trail to fruition has been a City Council goal for the past three years, and has been a long-imagined component of the city’s trails system.
“Now that the city’s portion of the Waterfront Trail is completed, creating the next leg of trails to provide connectivity from neighborhoods to the waterfront via trails is the next logical step,” Gerving said.
The nearly three-mile Bay to Zoo Trail project is planned to connect with the Waterfront Trail at Tydd Street on its north end, and run through the intersection of W and Russ streets, just a few blocks away from the Sequoia Park Zoo at its southernmost point.
The project includes two miles of dedicated class one bike, pedestrian and non-motorized conveyance paths throughout the city’s east side. The final mile would incorporate the trail into the street grid, with class-four accommodations, among these widened pedestrian sidewalks and protected bicycle lanes, to reach the Sequoia Park Zoo.
“We want to ensure that not just motorized vehicles have an opportunity to get around in the city but also people who rely on walking and their bikes,” Gerving said.
Public lighting, benches, trailheads and other amenities are being considered but are all subject to design decisions.
Outside of recreational and nature related activities, the proposed route seeks to connect lowincome communities to schools, community services and St. Joseph Hospital, the only hospital within city limits and the city’s largest employer.
Designated as a “safe route to school,” the trail is planned to connect adjacent neighborhoods with Washington Elementary and Zane Middle School. As detailed in the Eureka public works project information site, Eureka’s only existing bike trail does not connect residential and school areas most in need of active transportation options.
The trail’s routes are currently tentative and are subject to change depending on design consultations with property owners for portions of the trail running through private parcels and funding allocated for the project.
Funding has yet to be allocated to the Bay to Zoo Trail proposal. Gerving said there are different potential funding sources for the project. The city has applied for Caltrans’ Active Transportation Program, which has funded similar trail projects. The ATP awards will be announced mid February.
If awarded to the city of Eureka, ATP funds would provide for the project’s design, construction and right-of-way procurements where needed. All three of these phases are expected to cost $7 million in total.
Other funding options the city is looking into include California State Parks funds, other transport funding sources, and the use of local funding.