Happy Trails

Jen Rice updates the process of the Federal Transportation Reauthorization and how it pertains to active transportation on the North Coast.

Jen Rice updates her meeting in San Diego and talks about her new gig.

Today, Emily Sinkhorn and I spoke with Netra Khatri, assistant city engineer for Arcata about improvement projects on old Arcata Road. There have already been some with more to come. And yes, the public will have input on those future improvements at an open house on Wednesday

This morning Michael Kauffmann and I spoke with Gabe Howe from the Siskiyou Mountain Club. This is a non-profit organization dedicated to trail restoration in the Siskiyou wilderness. The group started as just a group of friends who saw a need as so many trails were falling into ruin. The organization now has over 300 members and has thus far restored numerous trails, to a point where they are hoping to move into more of a trail maintenance organization by 2020.

Today Emily and I spoke with Denise Newman, the RCAA Projects Coordinator about Explore The Coast taking place this Sunday, October 9th on the Hikshari Trail. We also discussed this past weekends events, the Cooper Gulch Plan & Play Day and the Chah-Gah-Cho trail Grand Opening.

This morning Jessica Hall and I spoke with Christy Prescott, Community Advocate for Cooper Gulch Common Grounds, a grassroots organization that's been around for about a year to help the park at Cooper Gulch live up to it's potential. This Saturday, October 1st, there will be a big event open to the public called Play and Plan Day at Cooper Gulch from 9am till 4:30. Many events are planned for the day. More info at coopergulch.org

This morning my co host Michael Kauffmann and I spoke with Terri Vroman Little and her work with the CCC and all they are doing with trails here in Humboldt County. We also talked about The Humboldt Bay Marathon, how it started and where she hopes to see it in the near future. And although it was painful to bring it up, how she has taken the tragedy of 4 years ago (on Old Arcata Road) moved forward for positive advancement of trails and the creation of the Humboldt Bay Marathon, part of which goes along Old Arcata Road, in essence, reclaiming that space. Thank you to Terri and The CCCs for their tireless efforts to make Humboldt a better place for all.

This morning Emily and I spoke with Tash Ahlstrand, transportation Planner for Caltrans District 1. The Pacific Coast Bike Route or PCBR, now 40 years old is bike route that spans the Pacific Coast from Canada To Mexico. Recently Caltrans initiated a study of PCBR users. Lots of great data was collected and many suggestions are in the process of being implemented. However, there was also some surprize date that was revealed. For example, 93% or PCBR riders go from north to south and the average age of PCBR riders is 43 years old.

This morning Jessica Hall and I spoke with Emily Benvie Environmental Programs Manager for Arcata. We spoke about the recent Request for Bid that went out to all contractors to construct the next phase of The Bay Trail between Arcata and Eureka. This phase will go from Arcata to Bracut Center (about half way). Emily also outlined progress on other trails such as the Ridge Trail and other.

Cliff and Emily talk with Morgan Kessler, Deputy Director of Public Works for the City of Arcata about the Samoa Gateway Project and other improvements in ped and bike safety Arcata is taking on.