Sunday, February 16, 2025
51.9 F
Roseville

Placer County Regional Bikeway Plan Update

SourcePCTPA

More people are riding bicycles in Placer County than ever

Bike commuting to and from work has increased by 39 percent since 2010. This year’s “May is Bike Month,” attracted more than 1,200 participating cyclists – the largest attendance to date. As Placer County experiences dramatic growth in population, new homes and businesses, the popularity of cycling grows at the same time. The first and only Regional Bikeway Plan, created in 2002, is now being updated by Placer County Transportation Planning Agency (PCTPA) and the County of Placer Public Works.

This plan will identify the gaps in our current bikeway system and recommend improvements specific to unincorporated Placer County communities and roadways. The Regional Bikeway Plan will also address key regional connections between local cities and the County of Sacramento.

As part of the community engagement effort, PCTPA hosted virtual community workshop in June to discover the opportunities to improve bicycling conditions and identify concerns of bicyclists, pedestrians and motorists. PCTPA received more than 1,700 public comments to help inform the updated plan.

“The tangible benefit of this level of community engagement is that their input becomes the foundation for updating the 2002 Regional Bikeway Plan,” explained Aaron Hoyt, Associate Planner for PCTPA. “The comments help us understand issue areas within the existing bikeway network. We also get a sense for the level of interest in bikeways included in the 2002 Plan but not yet constructed. For projects not yet built, we can identify if they need to be included in the updated plan” Hoyt explained. “Public comment also helps bring to light new potential projects, such as a new cycling route for recreational cyclists or those out touring.

So what happens next?

The real work of planning begins once all the comments are reviewed. Once a final plan is completed, projects are ready to seek funding.

“After all comments have been reviewed, the next step is a needs assessment that takes into consideration potential user demand, destinations, demographics, connectivity to other transportation facilities, and safety,” said Hoyt. “Planners ask ‘what makes sense here?’ considering sight distance, speed limit, traffic volumes and other limiting factors on the roadway. Then we create a list of potential projects that are financially feasible, most likely to be competitive for funding, and supported by the community,” he added.

The PCTPA Board of Directors and stakeholders then provide input on the list of projects. Comments can take the form of online surveys, small focus group meetings or in-person, large group community engagement meetings.

The final step is to create the updated the Regional Bikeway Plan. From there, neighboring cities, Placer County or PCTPA begin their search for funding.

The span of time to get a project completed always varies. Identifying project scope, availability of funding and addressing other construction procedures come long before the first shovel hits the ground. With so many variables, a three to five year window or longer to complete a single project is common.

Where does funding come from?

Hoyt described three primary sources for funding. The first is called the “Local Transportation Fund” to support local transportation projects. This fund provides about $400,000 in funding dedicated to pedestrian and bicycle projects annually. This is a small portion of the 0.25% in state sales tax back that comes back to individual counties for transportation projects. These funds are distributed to each jurisdiction based on a population formula, no application is required. Local Transportation Funds are also used for public transit, filling potholes, and as match funds for competitive grants.

The “Active Transportation Program” is an annual, statewide competitive grant program for both cycling and pedestrian projects. In 2017, over $300 million was available statewide. Placer County jurisdictions secured approximately $8 million for local bikeway projects.

“This is a very competitive program that requires significant resources to prepare the grant” said Hoyt.

 Federal grants represent the third funding option. The most common is the “Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality” grant. PCTPA receives this funding and puts out a call for proposals to cities and counties to support design, funding and construction of roadway improvements and pedestrian and bicycle projects



Brighter Side

Trending

Find the lowest gas prices in Roseville, Rocklin, & Lincoln

Roseville, Calif. - Gas prices continue to hover around the $5 per gallon mark at many locations around South Placer County.

Open: Auburn Library’s temporary location

Auburn, Calif. - The Auburn Library has opened its new temporary location with modified services and the same helpful, friendly staff to help patrons navigate materials and lead library programming.

❤️Valentine’s or a Scam? Roseville PD reminds you to protect yourself against romance fraudsters

Roseville, Calif.- It's a new year. Are you or a family member looking for that someone special in 2025? Now, more than ever, people are using their smart phone for almost everything, including finding their soul mate

IICA Speech in Roseville

Our knowledgeable and compassionate team provides speech, language, cognitive, social, and feeding services to enhance the quality of our clients’ lives while empowering their caregivers through our unique team approach.

Sierra College President Willy Duncan earns international recognition for economic development efforts

In recognition of his efforts on the team to bring BOSCH to Placer County and his leadership with the Greater Sacramento Economic Council, Sierra College Superintendent and President Willy Duncan has been named the recipient of the 2024 Community Partner Award

Topics

Find the lowest gas prices in Roseville, Rocklin, & Lincoln

Roseville, Calif. - Gas prices continue to hover around the $5 per gallon mark at many locations around South Placer County.

Open: Auburn Library’s temporary location

Auburn, Calif. - The Auburn Library has opened its new temporary location with modified services and the same helpful, friendly staff to help patrons navigate materials and lead library programming.

❤️Valentine’s or a Scam? Roseville PD reminds you to protect yourself against romance fraudsters

Roseville, Calif.- It's a new year. Are you or a family member looking for that someone special in 2025? Now, more than ever, people are using their smart phone for almost everything, including finding their soul mate

IICA Speech in Roseville

Our knowledgeable and compassionate team provides speech, language, cognitive, social, and feeding services to enhance the quality of our clients’ lives while empowering their caregivers through our unique team approach.

Sierra College President Willy Duncan earns international recognition for economic development efforts

In recognition of his efforts on the team to bring BOSCH to Placer County and his leadership with the Greater Sacramento Economic Council, Sierra College Superintendent and President Willy Duncan has been named the recipient of the 2024 Community Partner Award

PCWA Hell Hole Reservoir project approved to increase storage

Auburn, Calif. - At its Thursday meeting, the Placer County Water Agency (PCWA) Board of Directors approved a $5.8 million contract for the Hell Hole seasonal storage increase project, adding to the capacity of the Hell Hole Reservoir so it can

🍀Clover Valley’s long history predating Rocklin

According to Sierra College Geology Professor Dick Hilton, the valley started to form five million years ago as the Sierra range lifted and tilted westward. Runoff streams wore down millions of years of rock and gravel deposits

❤️ 7 wonderfully fun spring break destinations in California

Roseville, Calif. - We ♥ California! Exploring the breadth and length of the magnificent Golden State is life's never ending journey. With exciting travel opportunities and variety in all directions, Roseville enjoys a premium and convenient location to fuel those adventures.

Related Articles

Local Spotlight

Roseville Sheet Metal serving community’s heating and air needs for over 70 years

Roseville, Calif. - At Roseville Sheet Metal, we’re proud of our years of service to the Roseville area and look forward to helping you with your air conditioning and heating needs.

California Recovery Center in Roseville offers treatment for substance abuse and mental health

California Recovery Center (CRC) is a treatment provider for adults with substance abuse and mental health condition, located in Roseville and serving the greater Sacramento region.

Paul Black’s Window Cleaning serving Roseville and South Placer County for over 30 years

Paul Black’s Window Cleaning Inc. has been serving Placer County’s commercial and residential window cleaning needs since 1990.