The Riverside Trail Project needs your support at tomorrow’s city council meeting

In 2023, Caltrans awarded the city of Susanville a $2.861 million grant from their Active Transportation Program to construct a Class I, non-motorized path between Riverside Park and the existing Susan River Path.  The grant project is called the “Riverside Drive Pedestrian and Bike Trail Project.”

On March 11, Erik Edholm, city public works director, mentioned the Susanville City Council does not want to implement the project.  The council feels it doesn’t have the funds to maintain this new connector along with the rest of the approximately 0.75-mile paved Susan River Path.

The proposed connector extends eastward from the end of the sidewalk at Riverside Park and will cross a new pedestrian bridge to connect with the existing Susan River Path.

Currently, pedestrians and bicyclists use the gravel path on top of the levy for the former mill pond or else walk along a narrow gravel shoulder on the north and south sides of Riverside Drive.

Riverside Drive is an arterial route with higher traffic volume and speed than other city streets.  It is not safe to combine cyclists and walkers with vehicle traffic as the road curves toward the Susan River bridge.  The connector is located in a disadvantaged community and used by residents who walk or bike to Walmart and other commercial services at the nearby shopping centers.

The proposed connector is listed as the No. 1 priority project in the Lassen County 2022 Active Transportation Plan (Table B-1) and also in the Lassen County Regional Transportation Plan 2023-2043 (Figure 10).

During the preparation of those two plans, public surveys and public comments supported the connector.

LLTT, BLM and the FS sent letters of support for the city’s grant application.  Until recently, these agencies were not aware the city council wished to cancel the project.

There is a lack of transparency by the city council in reaching this decision without stakeholder input.  This project is also compatible with the city’s Circulation Element in the City of Susanville General Plan to create safe, multi-modal transportation routes throughout the city.

Your support is needed
The public has an opportunity to speak for three minutes at the March 18, Susanville City Council meeting which starts at 5 p.m. at City Hall at 66 N. Lassen Street opposite the old Post Office.

Apparently, grant funds have to be obligated by the city and Caltrans by March 321, 2026.  Please attend this meeting and speak in favor of the project.

Together, we can request
• An extension of Caltrans’ deadlines to obligate the funds:
• The Council convene a LCTC and stakeholder study group to formally respond to their concerns about the project’ and
• The LCTC and stakeholders develop a river restoration plan to guide development within the river’s riparian zone and flood plain.