GONZALES — City of Gonzales, in partnership with the Transportation Agency of Monterey County (TAMC) and Ecology Action, will be implementing a bike lane pilot project from April 7 through June 30, as part of the Salinas Valley Safe Routes to School Plan.
The pilot project includes the installation of high-visibility crosswalks at the intersections of Fifth Street and Elko Street, Gabilan Court and Rincon Road, as well as the separated bikeways on Fifth Street between Elko Street and Rincon Road.
Salinas Valley Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Plan is being developed through a two-year planning process. It is funded through a CalTrans grant and funds from TAMC’s Measure X funds.
The SRTS Plan will provide systematic assessment and analysis based on community input and includes community engagement to inform identification of both infrastructure and non-infrastructure recommendations to foster safe routes to schools.
The planning process includes recommendations from public K-12 schools in the cities of Gonzales, Soledad, Greenfield and King City.
Gonzales Youth Council (GYC) prioritized pedestrian safety projects in 2022. Ecology Action has been working closely with the GYC on this project, including on public outreach and data collection aspects, and has met with the youth several times to discuss the plan and receive input on improvements to address barriers to walking and bicycling for students going to and from school.
Initial data collection for the project included observing students arriving and leaving La Gloria Elementary, Fairview Middle School and Gonzales High School.
The planning process includes a “pilot project” in each of the four cities and involves the temporary installation of some of the infrastructure recommendations from the SRTS Plan.
“The pilot projects are an opportunity for the community to try out recommended changes and provide feedback before the city takes steps to install a permanent feature,” according to the City of Gonzales in a news release Monday. “Feedback from the community will help refine the recommendations.”
From April 7 through June 30, residents are asked to try walking or biking on Fifth Street, between Elko Street and Rincon Road, and then take the survey at saferoutesmonterey.org/evaluation-salinasvalley/.
SRTS is a national program focused on reducing traffic hazards around school sites, improving safety for students during their school commute and encouraging youth to be more active.
For more information about the bike lane pilot project, contact Gonzales City Hall at 831-675-5000.
