L to M Trail ADA and Multimodal Access Improvements

The City of Eureka is proposing to improve approximately 500 feet of an existing, informal pedestrian and bicycle trail, which connects the M Street and 15th Street intersection to the north end of L Street, just north of 17th Street, within an existing City-owned easement. The improvements will formalize the existing trail to improve safety, accessibility, and usability for pedestrians and bicyclists. Improvements will include surfacing and resurfacing the trail for multiuse and ADA compliance: constructing trailheads; creating new crosswalks across existing road prisms; installing pedestrian-scale lighting; and making drainage improvements. All pedestrian-scale lighting will be fully shielded, downward-directed, and designed to minimize light spill and glare consistent with dark-sky principles. Construction activities may involve the use of typical light to medium construction equipment, including a pickup truck for transporting tools and workers, a backhoe for installation and removal needs, a dump truck for hauling materials, rollers for compaction, tractor loaders for moving materials, and miscellaneous hand tools for work in areas close to utilities. Specific equipment use will depend on the final scope and sequencing of the work. Equipment staging will be on 15th Street, away from environmentally sensitive habitat areas. Erosion control measures will be implemented per n contractor-prepared, City-approved Erosion Control Plan, and traffic control will be provided as needed to maintain access through and/or around the construction. Construction is planned to begin in spring 2026 and conclude by fall 2026, avoiding the rainy season and, because no tree removal is proposed, avoiding impacts to nesting birds.