City of West Sacramento

The City of West Sacramento on Thursday, June 20, 2024 was awarded a Carbon Reduction Program grant of $1.9 million from the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG). This grant will be used to promote, design, and acquire the last-mile right-of-way for the Great California Delta Trail – Clarksburg Branch Line Trail Extension project, bringing the trail from the city limits to Clarksburg.

The Yolo-Delta Trail Coalition, comprising the City of West Sacramento, Yolo County, Yolo County Transportation District, and Delta Protection Commission, will be spearheading this project. The City of West Sacramento has owned the trail right-of-way from the Barge Canal locks to Pumphouse Road since acquiring it under the National Trails Act’s “rails to trails” provisions in 2005.

“West Sacramento is proud to be the gateway to the Great California Delta Trail network,” said West Sacramento Mayor Martha Guerrero. “The Clarksburg Branch Line Trail will provide our community with a safe and inviting way to experience the Delta’s rural and natural beauty.”

Project Highlights

The Clarksburg Branch Line Trail Extension aims to:

• Facilitate Safe Active Recreation: Promote connectivity between neighborhoods and communities, catering to various users including equestrians.
• Enhance Public Safety and Communication: Integrate a utility corridor with high-speed fiber optic connectivity.
• Educate Trail Users: Implement interpretive signs and design elements that reflect local railroad and settlement history, honor Indigenous peoples, acknowledge agricultural influence, and encourage habitat conservation.
• Explore Marketing and Funding Opportunities: Develop initiatives such as Yolo-Delta Vine Trail experiences, utility leases, marathons, and other events to benefit local businesses and residents.
• Incorporate Inclusion and Equity: Engage the community through widespread outreach to inform, engage, and promote participation in trail development, amenities, programming, funding, and maintenance.

This 6.4-mile bike/pedestrian trail is already identified in the SACOG Regional Trail network, in the Great California Delta Trail Master Plan, in the Yolo TD Active Transportation plan, and the West Sacramento Bicycle, Pedestrian and Trails Master Plan.

Statements from Key Stakeholders

Oscar Villegas, Yolo County Supervisor: “We are excited that this long-term project has come to fruition, and it will bring amenities to the West Sacramento and Clarksburg recreation corridor. The next steps in our rails-to-trails project, that is 20 years in the making, will allow for the Great Delta Trail expansion to serve as a recreational corridor for generations to come. The project encourages our community to get out and get active along the trail and supports our climate efforts in the region to reduce carbon emissions by utilizing alternate forms of transportation.”

Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-07): “The partnership between the federal government, SACOG, the City of West Sacramento, and the entire Yolo-Delta Trail Coalition is crucial in our development of a more sustainable, equitable transportation future for the region. This investment underscores the importance of federal support for our local mission to address mobility barriers in underserved communities and reduce carbon emissions. By leveraging resources from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Carbon Reduction Program, our region is leading the way to create new trail systems and active transportation options for our community.”

Bruce Blodgett, Executive Director, Delta Protection Commission: “We’re eager to work with our partners to study the proposed extension of the Clarksburg Branch Line and to ensure Delta residents’ needs and concerns are addressed as the Great California Delta Trail grows.”

Autumn Bernstein, Executive Director, Yolo Transportation District: “YoloTD is excited to partner on the Clarksburg Branch Line Extension. This project is a great opportunity to jumpstart our Yolo Active Transportation Corridors plan, establishing a roadmap for a safe and inviting network of off-street paths connecting Yolo County communities.”

Deb Banks, Executive Director, Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates: “The Clarksburg Branch Line trail is an amazing amenity for West Sacramento and Sacramento cyclists and pedestrians. It links the cities to delta communities with a low-stress bikeable walkable trail in a beautiful setting. This will hugely benefit those exploring the Delta by bicycle, bringing tourism to the area and moving us closer to completing the regional trails network. SABA is thrilled and looks forward to riding it in the near future.”

Senator Bill Dodd, D-Napa: “This project will provide multiple benefits, including reduced carbon emissions and recreational opportunities. I am pleased to support its funding and applaud Yolo County and West Sacramento for advancing it, along with the Yolo Transportation District and Delta Protection Commission.”

The City of West Sacramento looks forward to the positive impact this trail extension will have on the community, enhancing recreation, connectivity, and environmental sustainability.