Livermore Plan Gets an Update
The Livermore City
Council Tuesday 12/13 unanimously approved an updated Trails Master Plan. The document now
includes a listing of all segments of a proposed facility, along with estimated costs. Trails are also prioritized. There is a funding strategy for projects, which include obtaining transportatin funds and grants. All of the trails on the map are planned to accommodate equestrian use either by providing a wide shoulder or a separate equestrian pathway. There are trails added in order to crEate a more comprehensive network that can serve as an alternative transportation mode. The new plan also establishes a permanent Bikeways and Trails Committee. The overall estimated cost to construct the entire system over a
projected 20 years is $71.7 million. The total cost including construction, design, administration and contingencies is over $100 million. The update of the trails plan was accomplished by a 7-member advisory committee over a 10-month period. The update was needed in order to qualify for transportation funding and grants. A priority list is also required. Councilmember Tom Reitter's suggestion that a bike lane be added to
the portion of North Livermore Avenue that goes under I-580 was included in the plan as part of the council motion. Reitter said there are
difficulties getting over and under 580. The city should not preclude any opportunities. Several members of the audience offered input. Terry Roman from East Bay Regional Park District complimented the effort that went into the updated plan. "The city plan and EBRPD's trail plans complement each other." He noted that EBRPD trails are not just used for recreation. Around 37% of the users of the Iron Horse Trail use it
as a transportation corridor; 64% of those utilizing the DeAnza-Antoich Trail travel to work and school along the trail. Dick Quigley and David Lunn, both trail advocates, suggested that the city open trail corridors on public land as soon as possible. The trails could be paved as funding becomes available. Reitter suggested bringing that policy suggestion back for consideration by the council in the future.
The Isabel Expressway will be only 4-lanes wide between Jack London Boulevard and Vineyard Avenue. The council unanimously approved a general plan amendment, decreasing the future width from 6-lanes to 4-lanes. The change was the result of a desire not to have a 6-lane road
through wine country. The staff report indicated that having a narrower roadway in the future would have little impact on traffic within the rest of the city.