City Installs Canal Trail Crossing Improvements

Pleasant Hill has completed significant enhancements to six of the major trail crossings throughout the city.

City officials made it official on Wednesday when Mayor John Hanacek "threw the switch" that turned on the new signal lights on Gregory Lane.

Improved visibility and trail access projects have been completed at four key trail crossings along the Contra Costa Canal Trail: Chilpancingo Parkway, Gregory Lane, Boyd Road and Oak Park Boulevard.

There are also two trail crossings along the EBMUD Trail at Oak Park Boulevard and Astrid Drive.  

Trail crossing enhancements include:

• In-pavement flashing lights
• Pedestrian actuated LED signage
• Colored crosswalks
• ADA curb ramps
• Concrete bulb-outs and sidewalks
• High visibility signs
• Pavement striping
• Radar speed feedback signs

In addition, a new pedestrian signal and landscaped median island was constructed at the Gregory Lane/Contra Costa Canal Trail crossing.

A new concrete sidewalk was also constructed along the south side of Oak Park Boulevard (between the EBMUD Trail crossing and Eccleston Avenue) and limited traffic signal modifications were completed at the Oak Park Boulevard/Monticello Avenue intersection to enhance student access between the EBMUD Trail and the nearby Pleasant Hill Middle School.

The total project construction cost was approximately $1.2 million, of which city staff secured more than 60 percent in various state transportation grants for construction. The remaining project costs came from local funds.