“Rails to Trails” update is set

An update on the proposed “Rails to Trails” project that could link Garden Grove to the Santa Ana River Trail  will be presented to the Garden Grove City Council on Tuesday night.

The Orange County Transportation Authority will make the presentation on that plan and other transit issues affecting the city.

What’s proposed is that the existing bicycle and pedestrian path between Nelson and Brookhurst street in Garden Grove would be extended southeast across the former Pacific Electric right-of-way to connect with the existing Santa Ana River Trail which runs from the Pacific Coast Highway into Orange and beyond.

Termed the “Garden Grove-Santa Ana Rails to Trails Gap Closure Project,” it would run for about four miles, allowing a bicyclist to pedal – or a walker to stride – from downtown Garden Grove to cross the river and – eventually – continue into a separated bikeway into Santa Ana’s downtown.

Parts of the trail would parallel the OC Streetcar route now under construction. As of June 2021, the cost of the trails project was estimated at $42.3 million.

Also on the agenda is approval of a comprehensive “Memorandum of Understanding” with the cities of Fountain Valley and Westminster for the development of the Central Cities Navigation Center for the homeless at 13871 West St., and an interim lease agreement.

The council will convene at 6:30 p.m. in its chambers in the Community Meeting Center at 11300 Stanford Ave.