Press Releases
City of Gonzales and the Youth Council, in Partnership with TAMC and Ecology Action, Ready to Implement Bike Lane Pilot Project
Project is part of the Salinas Valley Safe Routes to School Plan
The City of Gonzales in partnership with the Transportation Agency of Monterey County (TAMC) and Ecology Action, will be implementing a bike lane pilot project from April 7-June 30, 2023, as part of the Salinas Valley Safe Routes to School Plan. The pilot project includes the installation of high-visibility crosswalks at the intersections of 5th Street and Elko Street, Gabilan Court, and Rincon Road, as well as the separated bikeways on 5th Street between Elko Street and Rincon Road.
The Salinas Valley Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Plan is being developed through a two-year planning process. It is funded through a CalTrans grant and funds from TAMC's Measure X funds. The SRTS Plan will provide systematic assessment and analysis based on community input and includes community engagement to inform identification of both infrastructure and non-infrastructure recommendations to foster safe routes to schools. The planning process includes recommendations from public K-12 schools in the cities of Gonzales, Soledad, Greenfield, and King City.
The Gonzales Youth Council (GYC) prioritized pedestrian safety projects in 2022. Ecology Action has been working closely with the GYC on this project, including on public outreach and data collection aspects and has met with the youth several times to discuss the plan and receive input on improvements to address barriers to walking and bicycling for students going to and from school. Initial data collection for the project included observing students arriving and leaving La Gloria Elementary, Fairview Middle School and Gonzales High School.
The planning process includes a "pilot project" in each of the four cities and involves the temporary installation of some of the infrastructure recommendations from the SRTS Plan. The pilot projects are an opportunity for the community to try out recommended changes and provide feedback before the city takes steps to install a permanent feature. Feedback from the community will help refine the recommendations.
SRTS is a national program focused on reducing traffic hazards around school sites, improving safety for students during their school commute and encouraging youth to be more active.
For more information about the bike lane pilot project please contact Gonzales City Hall at 831-675-5000.
About City of Gonzales
The city of Gonzales, California is located in Monterey County. The quaint and culturally diverse community of approximately 9,000 people is in the heart of the Salinas Valley’s agricultural and wine region. Gonzales is an established regional leader in agricultural-technology and innovation, environmental awareness and sustainable practices. Gonzales is home to companies such as HealthySoil, which manufactures products to improve agricultural crop production; Converted Organics, a natural fertilizer company; Taylor Farms, a fresh vegetable production facility, Mann Packing/Del Monte Fresh, a leading supplier of fresh cut vegetables; Ramsay Highlander, an innovator, designer and manufacturer of technologically-advanced harvesting equipment; Papé Equipment Handling, Braga Fresh, Green Valley Farm Supply, Tessemae’s, American Bioscience, Caraccioli Cellars, and Constellation Brands, an international producer and marketer of beer, wine and spirits.