By Mike Hazlip—
Citrus Heights has joined a growing number of cities using bright green paint to mark off the bicycle lane on busy streets.
A recently completed section of Mariposa Avenue now features a bicycle lane clearly marked in green paint. The new addition was part of a Safe Routes to School project that included curb, gutter and sidewalk installation, as well as ADA accessible curb ramps and street lights, according to a release from the city.
The project spans just over one mile of Mariposa Avenue between Greenback Lane and Madison Avenue, although just a short section of bike lane where cyclists merge with traffic is highlighted in broken green sections.
“Green bike lanes draw attention of motorists to bicyclists, increasing safety for both users and reducing the potential for vehicle/bicycle collisions in high conflict areas,” the release said.
City spokesman Elyjah Wilbur said the total Mariposa Safe Routes to School project is anticipated to be around $2.5 million. He said the project has not used General Fund money, with the majority of funding coming from a state Active Transportation Program grant.
A new housing development on Mariposa Avenue, known as Abby’s Gate, was required to construct frontage improvements which reduced the Safe Routes to School Project scope, Wilbur confirmed.
Future green bike lanes are planned for southbound Fair Oaks Boulevard and Greenback Lane, according to the city.
Elsewhere in the county, a previous report by CapRadio shows green bicycle lanes were completed at the California State University Sacramento campus in 2014. That project used over 1,000 gallons of the bright green color.
The City of Sacramento also currently lists 11 green bike lane projects underway as part of a larger active transportation plan.
By Mike Hazlip—
Citrus Heights has joined a growing number of cities using bright green paint to mark off the bicycle lane on busy streets.
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