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    4.    
TRANSPORTATION, WATER & INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE
Meeting Date: 10/12/2020  
Subject:    Introduction to Carquinez Strait Scenic Loop Trail planning efforts
Submitted For: TRANSPORTATION, WATER & INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE
Department: Conservation & Development  
Referral No.: 2, 5  
Referral Name: Review applications for grants...Review projects, plans and legislative matters that may affect the health of the San Francisco Bay and Delta
Presenter: Colin Piethe, DCD Contact: (925)588-5269

Information
Referral History:
In late 2018, staff from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) working on the Bay Trail and Bay Area Ridge Trail approached Contra Costa County asking for participation in their Carquinez Strait Scenic Loop Trail (CSSLT) working group. The working group identified grant funding from the California Coastal Conservancy for a small planning study, and requested that Contra Costa County lead this study on the feasibility of closing gaps throughout the Trail.

The study will identify any fatal flaws related to closing gaps on the Contra Costa County side of the trail with bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure and present a vision for the completion of the Loop Trail. Pending the results of the fatal flaw analysis, staff will study one or two gaps in greater detail.

This item was first heard at TWIC on May 14, 2019 where the committee approved a grant application to MTC for Coastal Conservancy funding for the CSSLT Gap Closure Study.
Referral Update:

The Carquinez Strait Scenic Loop Trail is a multi-use path that forms a loop between the Carquinez and Benicia Bridges, with the trail running through Contra Costa and Solano Counties.

Subsequent to meeting with TWIC in May 2019, the Board of Supervisors authorized DCD staff to receive grant funding for the CSSLT Gap Closure Study in July. As of October 1, 2020, DCD and MTC staff selected Questa Engineering to be the lead consultant on this study after completing a competitive bid process. The study was phased into multiple tasks:

1: Identify any “fatal flaws” related to closing existing gaps with bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, such as right-of-way or physical constraints. Pending the results of this analysis, the study will continue to either:
2A: narrow the study’s focus to one or two gaps, or
2B: revisit the study of potential trail alignments to identify a preferred alignment, including interim options.
3: Development of a Vision Plan

The Vision Plan for the future of the trail is being presented to TWIC and other CSSLT partners such as local jurisdictions along the trail, Caltrans, East Bay Regional Park District, etc. Staff's presentation to TWIC at their October meeting is part of this outreach effort. The Vision Plan, in depicting the completed project, helps to ensure that each individual project is valued as contributing to the complete vision and each plays a critical part in making it a reality.

The Gap Closure portion of the effort will be complete in Spring 2021 with preliminary information provided in this presentation.


Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):

RECEIVE update from staff on the Carquinez Strait Scenic Loop Trail planning effort and provide DIRECTION as appropriate.

Fiscal Impact (if any):
No Fiscal Impact. Previously approved grant funds are being used and staff time is covered within existing budgets.
Attachments
CSSLT Presentation to TWIC Oct. 2020
CSSLT Vision Plan

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