Groundbreaking of new Arcade-Cripple Creek Trail

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - Shovels dug into the dirt as the City of Citrus Heights General Services Department celebrated a symbolic public groundbreaking of the Arcade-Cripple Creek Trail Project in the Arcade Creek Park Preserve on 6377 Bonham Circle, on Tuesday, Nov. 1.

Southbound lane closures on Sunrise Boulevard from Sayonara Drive towards Greenback Lane are likely at least until November 18, according to the city and the project contractor, Central Valley Engineering & Asphalt in Roseville which has begun construction of sidewalk and trail improvements.

The recent public event featured speeches from the Mayor of Citrus Heights, Porsche Middleton, Congressman Ami Bera, Assemblymember Ken Cooley, Sunrise Recreation and Parks District Administrator Dave Mitchell, Orangevale Recreation and Parks District Administrator Barry Ross, and City of Citrus Heights City Manager Ashley Feeney.

“This project increases walkability and safety by improving conditions for pedestrians and bicyclists throughout our community’s unique system of creek-side trails, passive open space, and parks,” Feeney said.

The new 2.9-mile multi-use Arcade-Cripple Creek Trail Project, located in both Citrus Heights and unincorporated Orangevale, provides bicycle and pedestrian facilities largely following an existing SMUD utility overhead transmission corridor between the Arcade Creek Park Preserve and Wachtel Way.

The trail, which is part of the Sacramento Area Council of Government (SACOG) Regional Trail Network, connects several neighborhoods to seven parks, several schools, and the Sunrise MarketPlace.

Upon completion, it will be a key step to connect the broader regional trail system in Roseville, Sacramento County, and ultimately, Folsom to the American River Parkway.

The City of Citrus Heights has partnered with Sunrise and Orangevale Recreation and Parks Districts and other local supporters to bring the trail project to life.

The project is primarily funded by a $6.2 million Caltrans Active Transportation Program (ATP) grant and is a collaborative effort between the city, community, park districts, school district, SMUD and other participants.

Additional components of the project include a new signalized crossing of Fair Oaks Boulevard, pathway lighting, sidewalk, curbing and gutter improvements along a segment of Oak Avenue, traffic signal modifications, and drainage and landscaping improvements.

“We can’t accomplish these community-enhancing projects without partners like them. From acquiring [grant] funds to navigating the requirements for those funds, we are grateful for their collaboration so that together we can bring infrastructure improvements like this to the City while maintaining fiscal prudence,” said City Manager Feeney during his remarks.

The city pursued competitive grants and leveraged various supplemental funding sources for trail planning and construction including a $6.2 million CalTrans Active Transportation Grant, Per Capita Grant funding, and Park Impact Fees, according to Feeney.

The project will be constructed in phases, moving from west to east (starting at Sunrise Blvd and ending at Wachtel Way). Opportunities for tree plantings in partnership with the community and the Sacramento Tree Foundation will occur near the end of the project buildout. 

To learn more about the project visit: www.citrusheights.net/940/Arcade-Cripple-Creek-Trail-Project