In 2016, the City of Chico conducted the Esplanade Corridor Safety and Accessibility Study (Study) in conjunction with an extensive public outreach effort to review potential transportation and traffic safety improvements that could be made to the Esplanade between Memorial Way and 11th Avenue and along Oleander between Memorial Way and 10th Avenue to improve the safety for all modes of transportation along the corridor, including pedestrians, bicycles, vehicles, and buses. The purpose of the study was to engage the public in determining a package of roadway safety improvements for this key transportation corridor in the City which that serves so many purposes and modes.

 

The study addressed traffic safety and operational concerns, including the enhancement of the corridor with “complete streets” features through the provision of additional facilities for bicyclists and pedestrians, while maintaining the integrity of the “Boulevard” design, community character, and maintaining traffic flows for vehicles. Ultimately, the study resulted in recommended improvements which were reviewed and considered by the City Council. Upon Council approval of the preferred package of proposed safety and operational improvements, the City applied for and was awarded approximately $7 million in federal Active Transportation Program (ATP) and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funding. The City is currently in the process of conducting the environmental review in advance of final engineering design for the project

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Please see below to view the Final Study and Appendices:

 

The first public workshop was held on September 9, 2015 at the Enloe Conference Center. Click here to view the presentation: W-Trans Esplanade Corridor Workshop #1 Presentation

 

The second public workshop was held on November 19, 2015 at the Enloe Conference Center. Click here to view the presentation: W-Trans Esplanade Corridor Workshop #2 Presentation

 

An informational update regarding the study’s progress was presented to the City Council on January 19, 2016. Click here to view the agenda report: 1-19-16 Council Agenda Report

 

Please click here to view the April 5, 2016 Esplanade Corridor Study Powerpoint presentation: 4-5-16 Council Powerpoint Presentation

 

Please click here to view the May 3, 2016 City Council meeting files: 5-3-16 Council Meeting Agenda and Staff Report and 5-3-16 Council Meeting Minutes

 

 

As part of the public outreach effort, the City of Chico and the Esplanade Corridor Safety and Accessibility Study’s consultant team, W-Trans, have conducted and tabulated the results of the on-line surveys to gather input on how the community currently utilizes the Esplanade and gauge interest in various types of safety improvements considered along the corridor.