Gold Rush Multi-Use Path Phase 1 Project

The Gold Rush Multi-Use Path Phase I Project, managed by Caltrans District 10, involves the construction of a 1.5-mile Class I pedestrian and bicycle trail in Sonora, Tuolumne County. The trail will begin at State Route 49 and South Green Street, extending south to an existing trail near the Motherlode Fairgrounds, with a trail junction forming a T-intersection at State Route 49 and Woods Creek Drive. The project is divided into three segments: South Green Street to Woods Creek Drive, Woods Creek Drive to Motherlode Fairgrounds, and Woods Creek Drive to Snell Street. Key deliverables include the construction of the multi-use path, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) improvements, and the restriping of State Route 49 to narrow and shift existing lanes. The project is subject to CEQA and NEPA compliance, with a Mitigated Negative Declaration concluding that the project will not have significant environmental effects provided that specific mitigation measures for biological resources and aquatic habitats at Woods Creek are implemented. Construction must adhere to Caltrans Stormwater Quality Handbooks and include a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan. While the specific contract value for Phase I is not isolated, the estimated cost for the entire larger trail corridor is projected between 9.5 and 20 million dollars. Administrative oversight is led by Jonathan Coley of Caltrans District 10, with environmental planning support from Wood Rodgers, Inc.