State Recommends $12.2-million For Tuolumne County Trail Projects

Sonora, CA — Three transformative trail projects proposed in Tuolumne County are anticipated to receive a combined $12.2 million in state funding.

433 funding applications were submitted to the California Transportation Commission, and only 26 small Urban and Rural projects were recommended by staff for funding. The announcement was made yesterday. They include all three proposed Tuolumne County projects. They will be formally voted on by the commission during a two-day meeting, December 7-8.

The largest local project, just over $5-million, is the first phase of the Gold Rush Multi-Use Path that will connect the communities of Jamestown, Sonora, and Columbia. The project is being spearheaded by the City of Sonora, Tuolumne County Transportation Council, Caltrans, and Blue Zones.

Melissa Eads, Sonora City Administrator, responds, “Another success for Vision Sonora planning. $5.018 million to the City of Sonora to move the State Route 49 Gold Rush Multi-Use Path project forward. These projects are not only a public infrastructure investment, but they also serve as a catalyst for economic development.”

Eads adds, “We are building the community we dream of.”

In addition, $4.2 million is expected to go to the Groveland Community Services District for a Hetch Hetchy Railroad Trail Project and $3-million for a Tuolumne County application for a Groveland Connectivity Project.

District Two Tuolumne County Supervisor Ryan Campbell weighs in on the projects, stating, “It has been a goal of our Board to connect our communities for many years and this is a critical step toward achieving that goal.”

District Four Supervisor, Kathleen Haff added, “Incredible and transformative!!! Thank you with all my heart for everyone’s dedication to making this dream a reality for Tuolumne County!”

For detailed information on the Gold Rush Multi-Use Path click here.

For information on the Groveland Community Connectivity Project click here.

For an overview of the Hetch Hetchy Railroad Trail click here.

A statement was put out by the various agencies involved, stating, “Tuolumne County, the City of Sonora, GCSD, and TCTC are immensely grateful for the long hours and coordination of so many public agencies. The only way we were able to achieve such a feat was because of this teamwork. Special recognition goes to Shannon Thaggard for the Gold Rush Multi-Use Path and to Kim MacFarlane, Blossom Scott-Heim, and Denise Zitnik for the Groveland Community Connectivity Project as well as Pete Kampa, Jennifer Flores, and Rachel Pearlman for the Hetch Hetchy Railroad Trail Project. Tyler Summersett of Adventist Health’s Blue Zones Project was a critical part of everyone’s success lending energy and enthusiasm to all efforts. A special thanks goes out to our consultant teams from Wood Rodgers and GreenDOT who helped make these applications competitive. And, of course, a big thanks must be given to every member of the public who listened, signed letters, and voiced their support throughout the process. We absolutely could not have done it without you.”