Railroad Trail: New funding lengthens project, design contract awarded

December 14, 2005
Santa Paula City Council

To ensure funding won’t be lost, the city has requested an extension for the Railroad Recreation Trail, while at the same time awarding the contract for trail design.

By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesTo ensure funding won’t be lost, the city has requested an extension for the Railroad Recreation Trail, while at the same time awarding the contract for trail design. The City Council approved the request at the November 7 meeting.The Railroad Recreation Trail was slated to run from Santa Paula Creek to Peck Road, to be enjoyed by bicyclists as well as pedestrians, and new grant funding has expanded the length of the thoroughfare. The city has over $454,000 in federal grant funding for the project, with Caltrans managing the budget at the state level with assistance from the Ventura County Transportation Commission.According to the report by Public Works Director/City Engineer Cliff Finley, the city received approval to use the funds several years ago. However, “Because there has been no activity on the project due to complications with previous design consultants, Caltrans is letting the city know that the funds could lapse.” Caltrans sent a letter to the city in late September, noting that the deadline for funding use was at risk of running out.
The council also approved the contract for the trail’s design. The trail is a regional effort that will run from Ventura to Piru. Santa Paula is responsible for the design portions within city limits. Because the staff was able to garner additional grant monies, the scope of work for the design was expanded from Peck Road to Hallock Drive.The trail, which will run along the railroad tracks, will not have vehicular traffic, and the “intent of the project is to be a unifying feature that allows safe passage across town,” noted Finley.The winning bidder, Pacific Coast Land Design, is a local firm specializing in landscape architecture. They will be supported by other local firms for civil design, signage, electrical support and planning, at a total cost of about $373,000 including contingency.The project is being funded with federal monies, for which the city has an 11.47 percent match. The total funds available to the city for the project are almost $3.75 million.



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