MCOG allocates $215,000 additional STBG funds to complete Covelo SR 162 multipurpose trail

The Mendocino Council of Governments approved an additional $215,000 in Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) funds, plus partnership program funding, to complete the Covelo State Route 162 corridor multipurpose trail project.

Staff summarized the project's long timeline: environmental work began in 2015, design progressed through 2018 and construction began after construction allocation in 2023. Construction proceeded in 2023 but delays related to the Mill Creek bridge design, Bureau of Indian Affairs right-of-way matters and nest-protection windows forced work out of some construction seasons, increasing costs. Contractors have poured bridge foundations and scheduled bridge placement in the near term, staff said, and additional funds are needed to finish bridge installation and cover vegetation management and mitigation into the following year.

MCOG staff reported it has contributed roughly $512,000 in STBG funds to the project to date and said the total project budget includes multiple state ATP and other funds. The additional $215,000 requested was described as covering remaining bridge work and vegetation/mitigation costs; a board member noted that the project has already received multiple MCOG allocations and expressed concern about repeated requests, while another director noted the trail has eliminated fatalities in the corridor since construction of the first segments.

A motion to provide the requested additional funds was moved and seconded. The roll-call vote recorded affirmative votes from the present directors; the clerk recorded yes votes for Director Raffinan, Director Klein, Director Ollini, Director Hansen, Director Carter, Director Chris, and Chair Haschek. The motion passed.