FORTAG is proposed as an approximately 28-mile continuous 12-ft wide paved bicycle and pedestrian trail with an open-space buffer on both sides. FORTAG will connect to the existing Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail and will provide connections to unpaved trails in the Fort Ord National Monument. The northern loop of FORTAG encircles Marina, following a 13 mile route that includes 3 miles of the existing Coastal Rec Trail. The southern loop of FORTAG encircles Seaside and bisects Del Rey Oaks, following a 15 mile route that includes 4 miles of the existing coastal trail system. The route includes spurs connecting with existing and planned bike/pedestrian infrastructure. Several sections of the paved trail will link to nearby unpaved trails. There are currently three segments in progress:
Segment 1 - Canyon Del Rey Oaks/SR 2018
Phase 1 of the Canyon Del Rey/State Route 218 Segment involves construction of the trail through the City of Del Rey Oaks from Fremont Boulevard to Del Rey Woods Elementary in the City of Seaside. From Fremont Boulevard, the trail will run along State Route 218 and then move behind Safeway through Work Memorial Park traveling around the tennis courts and towards Angelus Way. There are no improvements proposed along Angelus Way based on feedback from the community. The trail will pick up again at Del Rey Park and travel towards State Route 218 along the existing trail. An undercrossing below State Route 218 will connect near Del Rey Oaks City Hall and the Frog Pond. A raised pathway will be constructed to connect trail users from the undercrossing to Carlton Drive at an accessible grade. The trail will extend northeast up Carton Drive to Plumas Avenue. Along Carlton Drive the trail will consist of a new 12-foot wide multi-use sidewalk on the west side of the road. Along Plumas Avenue the trail will follow the existing PG&E easement up to Del Rey Woods Elementary.
To hear feedback and concerns directly from Del Rey Oaks residents and the community, the project team has held in-person site visits, virtual public workshops and focus groups, and received over 300 comments from our online interactive project map. Amongst the comments received have been questions regarding the safety of the trail and the undercrossing, potential impacts to the Frog Pond Wetland Preserve, and whether the trail could be realigned along State Route 218. The project team has been responsive to these comments and has modified the design to further reduce impacts that do not result in safety or security issues. Examples of these adjustments include reducing the length of the switchback in the Frog Pond to avoid trees and impacts to the existing trail system; and modifying the segment along Carlton Drive to incorporate traffic calming features that will slow speeds on the roadway as well as reintroduce some pockets of on-street parking. Renderings of the project and a visual simulation are attached to the staff report below.
Segment 2 - Imjin Road to Jerry Smith Corridor
FORTAG Segment 2 - Imjin Road to the Jerry Smith Corridor was short-listed for $5.7 million in funding through the Federal Highway Administration Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP) grant program. The proposed project will provide a multi-use recreational trail in Marina, between Imjin Parkway/ Imjin Road connecting to the Jerry Smith Trailhead. The project involves final design and construction of 2.26 miles of a multi-use bike and pedestrian trail, including 2.1 miles of a paved path and 0.16 miles of raised boardwalk. The raised boardwalk will traverse over a federally-protected species habitat. The path will be paved to 12’ wide with 2’ unpaved shoulders on each side. Safety improvements include grading to create an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant trail and enhanced road crossings. The purpose of this segment of the multi-use trail is to provide direct active transportation access to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Fort Ord National Monument from California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB) and nearby Marina residents. The project is currently undergoing a scoping review FHWA to confirm the project's scope, schedule, and budget. Agency staff is working closely with FHWA through this process and expects to be notified in Fall 2022 whether the funds will be granted.
Segment 3 - California Avenue from Patton Parkway to Imjin Road
Transportation Agency staff is applying for Active Transportation Program Cycle 6 grant to fund another portion of the CSUMB Loop North Segment, which closes the gap on California Avenue between the City of Marina and CSUMB and connects to FORTAG Segment 2. The proposed project is a 1.4-mile shared use path that will be 12-feet wide and accommodate bicyclists, pedestrians, runners, scooters, or other shared mobility devices. The project is a gap closure that will vastly improve a current route and remove barriers to mobility. The project will close a gap in the existing regional network between the City of Marina and CSUMB to the north and south, and Fort Ord Trail network and the Monterey Bay Recreational Trail to the east and west. Currently, there is a Class II bikeway on California Ave, but due to the high speed (40 mph), the bike facility is not adequate for all ages and abilities. California Ave. as it is today, is itself a barrier for City of Marina residents, families, and students to be connected to the existing regional network, healthy food options, higher education, and open spaces. The project will fill this gap and will provide an all ages and abilities connection between the City of Marina, CSUMB, future development, the Fort Ord Trail system, and the Monterey Bay Recreation Trail via Class I bikeways.