| Whittier
has compeleted initial construction on the Greenway Trail, a five-mile
bicycle/pedestrian trail which replaces an abandoned railroad
right-of-way. The official dedication of the trail is planned
for Saturday, January 10, 2009 at Palm Park.
The
Greenway Trail begins in the northwest corner of Whittier, near
the 605 Freeway, and will closely parallel Whittier Boulevard.
When it reaches Painter Avenue, it travels along Lambert Road
to Mills Avenue, which is where the abandoned right-of-way ends.
There is an active rail line traveling east from Mills to the
City limits, and Whittier hopes to eventually acquire an easement
along this line to take the trail to the City limits and link
the Greenway to Orange County.
Community
participation is a very important part of the Greenway Trail development.
A community meeting was held in May 2002 to acquaint residents
with the project and receive their input. A trail design team
was selected by City Council in December 2002 and worked with
a Task Force to develop conceptual and preliminary designs. A
community-wide public meeting about the project was held in February
2003 at the Whittier Senior Center.
Actual
construction of the Greenway Trail began in fall 2006, and initial
construction of the trail was completed in October 2008.
The
Greenway Trail is included in the Los Angeles County Metropolitan
Transportation Authority's (LACMTA) "Southeast Area Bicycle
Master Plan." The trail passes through residential, commercial,
industrial and institutional land uses in Whittier, connecting
these various elements of the community and allowing residents
and visitors to hike or bike through town.
Special
benefits of the Greenway Trail to the City include alleviating
traffic congestion, improving air quality and providing a scenic
greenbelt area through the center of Whittier. The trail will
also provide increased safety for those who prefer to bike or
walk to their destinations. The Greenway connects with the local
and regional bus systems, including Whittier Transit (operated
by Norwalk Transit), MTA, Foothill Transit, Montebello Bus Lines
and Norwalk Transit.
The
cost to purchase the abandoned Union Pacific right-of-way was
$3.2 million, and the City closed escrow in December 2001. Construction costs of
the trail was approximately $8 million. All acquisition and development funds come
from state and federal sources. The bulk of the money for the project has
come from Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority and Caltrans
grants. Also, the State has contributed more than $2.3 million, primarily through bond funds.
Please
direct questions and/or comments about this project to:
Jim
Kurkowski, Director of Parks at (562)464-3375 e-mail: jkurkowski@cityofwhittier.org |
