Photo courtesy of Yuba City

YUBA CITY, CA (MPG) - - There is a good reason the ride to completing the Sutter Bike Path Project is slow. 

According to Yuba City Senior Civil Engineer Josh Wolffe, who discussed the project awarded in 2021, there is a lot behind taking a bike road through town here. The existing Sutter Bike Path—Acacia Avenue in Sutter to Hooper Road in Yuba City—was built upon Union Pacific Railroad's abandoned railway corridor.

“The abandoned railroad corridor actually continues through Yuba City, cutting southeast through town until it eventually terminates at an abandoned rail yard near Plumas Street and Reeves Avenue,” Wolffe said.

Problem?

The abandoned corridor is still owned by Union Pacific Railroad.

“One of the City's major goals for its active transportation network is to acquire this abandoned corridor and convert it to an 18-foot-wide shared use trail, consisting of two six-foot-wide bike lanes and a 6-foot-wide sidewalk,” Wolffe said.

 Photo Courtesy of Yuba City

City officials foresee the proposed trail having trees, landscaping, benches, workout nodes, water fountains and solar path lighting.

“Construction of this proposed trail would close major gaps in bicycle and pedestrian transportation infrastructure in the city by having a ‘highway’ for bikes and pedestrians, which goes through the entire town,” Wolffe said.

“This would ultimately provide a safe and efficient trail from the Town of Sutter, through the City of Yuba City, and into Marysville.”

The senior engineer said officials adopted a Feasibility Study, reporting benefits and community interest.

“The city is actively pursuing grant opportunities that would provide funds for acquisition, environmental work, design, and trail construction,” Wolffe said.

Why?

Wolffe said it is essential for Yuba to provide alternative modes of travel, such as trails and sidewalks, beginning with equity in transportation infrastructure.

“Not all individuals in the area have regular access to motorized vehicles,” Wolffe said.

“Providing a safe and connected pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure allows such individuals to traverse the city comfortably, making trips to work, stores, and other desired destinations easily and safely.”

Health and recreation follow equity.

“Having access to quality trails provides the community with a great opportunity for exercise without the stress of negotiating vehicular traffic,” Wolffe said.

“Less driving means a better environment, which can, in turn, create cleaner air through fewer emissions from vehicles.”

Wolffe said the west side of Harter Parkway, between Butte House Road and State Route 20 (SR-20), will receive a ten-foot-wide shared-use sidewalk to allow walking and biking students to travel safely.

“The ten-foot-wide path was already constructed as part of the Harter Marketplace development, between SR-20 and Currant Drive,” he said.

The senior engineer explained that the current eastern end of the Sutter Bike Path is at Hooper Road and Jefferson Avenue, surrounded by housing.

“By extending the bike path easterly to Harter Parkway, the trail will now have a better starting point at Didar S. Bains Park,” Wolffe said.

“This will allow for a good location to park cars and begin rides. Additionally, riders and walkers from the west will now have an end destination that is close to retail, recreation, and entertainment.”

Though the project seems like a pretty straightforward bike and sidewalk path, Wolffe said certain factors make it a bit more complicated and time-consuming.

The factors are money, utilities, and land. 

Of the $2.51 million total project cost estimate, Yuba City has received $153,000 from the State Active Transportation Program (ATP) for project design and is projected to receive $1,984,000 from the Federal Regional Surface Transportation/Surface Transportation Block Grant Program.

“Each of the Grant Programs has specific requirements, which the City is required to follow to be eligible for receipt of the Grant funds,” Wolffe said, adding quarterly reports and receiving environmental clearance has to happen first before obtaining authorization from Caltrans to advertise for bid.

Power and electric services have caused bumps in the bike path.

“There were multiple utilities in conflict with the Bike Path's proposed alignment along Harter Parkway and Jefferson Avenue,” Wolffe said. 

After much coordination, the senior civil engineer said PG&E agreed to relocate this project's multiple power poles, guy wires, and gas vent pipes to prevent other conflicts with future developments along Harter South & Harter North.

 When finished, the Sutter Bike Path Project will offer transit through town by bike or foot. Photo courtesy of Yuba City

“PG&E began relocation in late July and should have all necessary relocations complete by mid-September,” Wolffe said.

Lastly, land is essential to comply with State Regulations for Class I Bike Trails widths. The senior engineer said Yuba City completed the acquisition in 2023.

“This project is key in closing an infrastructure gap for bicyclists and pedestrians in Yuba City, allowing safer travel to schools, work, grocery stores, entertainment, and recreation,” Wolffe said.

“The city would like to eventually extend a trail through the entire width of Yuba City, allowing for safe and easy east-west travel for bicyclists and pedestrians.”