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The Bob Jones Trail Needs Your Help

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Tell the SLO County Board of Supervisors to move forward with the Bob Jones Trail

Tuesday, February 24th is a busy day for bicycles in San Luis Obispo county. Yesterday we talked about octagonbarn440SLOCOG’s Edna Price Canyon Anza Trail Project Workshop #1 taking place on the night of February 24th, and today we’re highlighting the upcoming SLO County Board of Supervisors certification of the Final Environmental Impact Report for a 4.5 mile section of the Bob Jones Trail earlier the same day.

Help complete the Bob Jones Trail

The Friends of the Bob Jones Trail (a partnership of the San Luis Obispo County Bicycle Coalition and the Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County) needs your help on an important milestone regarding the long-awaited extension of the Bob Jones Trail. On Tuesday, Feb. 24, the SLO County Board of Supervisors will consider certifying the Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for a 4.5-mile extension of the trail from the historic Octagon Barn on Higuera Street to the trail’s staging area on Ontario Road. The board will also approve the trail’s alignment, which includes under-crossings of San Luis Bay Drive and Highway 101.

What can you do?

1. Mark February 24 on your calendar. We won’t know what time the public hearing is scheduled until a week before the meeting, but want as many people as possible to attend to show their support for the Bob Jones Trail. Families with children are especially encouraged to attend to underscore the importance of introducing children to nature and recreational activities. The meeting will take place in the Board of Supervisors’ chambers, County Government Center, 1055 Monterey St., SLO, CA 93401. We will let you know what time as soon as that information becomes available.

2. Take a brief survey about the Bob Jones Trail at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DMXCMMM. We will compile the data and present it to the Board of Supervisors. We want as many trail users as possible to take the online questionnaire.

3. Send an e-mail to your county supervisor or the entire board asking them to certify the Final EIR and approve the trail alignment. Supervisors and their e-mails are:

District 1: Frank Mecham – fmecham@co.slo.ca.us

District 2: Bruce Gibson – bgibson@co.slo.ca.us

District 3: Adam Hill – ahill@co.slo.ca.gov

District 4: Lynn Compton – lcompton@co.slo.ca.us

District 5: Debbie Arnold – darnold@co.slo.ca.us

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The Friends of the Bob Jones Trail is a partnership of the San Luis Obispo County Bicycle Coalition and the Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County. Our No. 1 goal is encouraging and shepherding completion of the trail in a more timely fashion. The EIR is posted on the SLO County Planning Departments website at www.sloplanning.org under “Environmental Impact Reports.”

Higuera Street Traffic Alert

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Southern California Gas Excavating Higuera Street

Beginning in early November, SoCalGas will be excavating parts of Higuera Street in order to replace one of their natural gas pipelines with new pipe. Excavation and pipe installation on Higuera Street will be done in small sections, from Bridge Street down to south of LOVR. During this process, which is expected to last between 14 – 16 weeks, bicyclists and motorists may experience lane closures and even possible delays in areas where traffic is reduced to one lane controlled by flaggers.

higuera_gas_map_logoThe excavation and pipeline installation work will be conducted in a series of sections, one-at-a-time. Lane reductions will be in effect during working hours, Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., marked with traffic cones and signs.

While each section north of Los Osos Valley Road is being worked on, Higuera Street will be reduced to one lane in each direction for the length of the section, plus a safe distance before and beyond the section.

South of Los Osos Valley Road, Higuera Street will be reduced to one lane and traffic will alternate between directions as controlled by flaggers.

Bike Smart

In light of these upcoming traffic disruptions, we’d like to take this chance to remind you of some smart and simple rules of the road to help you safely reach your destination:

  • Follow the law. You have the same rights and obligations as drivers. Obey traffic signals and stop signs. Ride with traffic.
  • Be predictable.  Make your intentions clear to everyone on the road. Ride in a straight line and don’t swerve. Signal turns and check behind you well before making a turn or changing lanes.
  • Be conspicuous. Ride where people can see you. At night use a front white light, rear red light and/or reflectors. Make eye contact with other road users whenever possible.
  • Think ahead. Anticipate what drivers, pedestrians and other people on bikes will do next. Watch for turning vehicles and ride outside the door zone of parked cars. Look out for debris, potholes and other road hazards.
  • Ride ready. Before you ride, make sure your tires have enough air, that your brakes are working, your chain runs smoothly and that your quick release levers are closed.