Esplanade Corridor Safety and Accessibility Improvement Project

Project Description

The proposed project involves various non-motorized “complete streets” improvements along the Esplanade corridor from 11th Avenue to Memorial Way and on Oleander Avenue between 10th Avenue and Memorial Way.

A separated and paved Class I multi-use bicycle/pedestrian path will be created along the Esplanade, connecting downtown; California State University, Chico; Chico Junior and Senior High Schools; a regional hospital; and neighborhoods adjacent to the existing Airport Class I multi-use path at 11th Avenue. The parallel street to the east of the Esplanade, Oleander Avenue, would also receive signage, sidewalk signal, and stop control improvements between 10th Avenue and Memorial Way.

A roundabout would be installed at the intersection of Oleander Avenue and Memorial Way adjacent to Chico Junior High School.

Two traffic signals are proposed to be installed at the intersections of Oleander Avenue;1st Avenue and West Sacramento Avenue/Esplanade. Existing traffic signals would be outfitted with pedestrian signal crossing equipment, updated traffic detection equipment, an associated traffic signal timing plan to accommodate the added pedestrian phases, and pedestrian refuge islands where applicable.

Appropriate Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ramps and sidewalks would be added.

Environmental Clearance

In accordance with the California Quality Act (CEQA), the following documents were made available for public review between June 22, 2020 and July 22, 2020.

• Notice of Intent (NOI) to adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration
• Initial Study
• Mitigated Negative Declaration
• Notice of Determination

Technical Appendices:

• Appendix A - Visual Impact Assessment
• Appendix B - Air Quality & Greenhouse Gas Analysis Memo
• Appendix C - Natural Environment Study
• Appendix D - Historic Property Survey Report
• Appendix E - Initial Site Assessment
• Appendix F - Community Impact Memo
• Appendix G - Construction Noise Technical Memo
• Appendix H1 - Traffic Technical Memo
• Appendix H2 - Traffic Technical Memo - Technical Appendix

Background: Esplanade Corridor Improvement Study

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.

Please see below to view the Final Study and Appendices:

• Final Study
• Appendix A - Traffic Data
• Appendix B - Intersection Level of Service Calculations
• Appendix C - Travel Time Calculations
• Appendix D - Collision Analysis
• Appendix E - Outreach Documents
• Appendix F - Public Opinion Survey Results
• Appendix G - Corridor Alternatives
• Appendix H - Cost Estimate

Public Outreach

Public Workshop #1

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

Public Workshop #2

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

City Council Meeting #1

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

City Council Meeting #2

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

City Council Meeting #3

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

Online Surveys

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.

• Online Survey #1: The first of two Survey Monkey online surveys was available between October 16, 2015 and November 8, 2015. The survey and associated results were presented at Workshop #2 and are available here: Survey #1 Results
• Online Survey #2: The second of the two online surveys was available between November 20, 2015 and January 3, 2016. The survey results are available here: Survey #2 Results