Board approves $5 million to clear funding hold-up for Bob Jones Pathway reroute

The San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 21 approved a $5 million budget adjustment and a resolution supporting a scope-and-phasing change for the long‑planned Bob Jones Pathway, clearing a key precondition for the California Transportation Commission to release remaining project funding. Chairperson Ortiz Lehi made the motion; the board approved it by roll call vote.

The funding move shifts $5,000,000 from the county’s capital projects facility-planning designation into the pathway’s construction account to cover a shortfall identified by Public Works. The department requested the transfer to meet a CTC condition that the project be fully funded before the commission will approve a scope change and move the project to construction. John D’Addario, the county’s director of public works, told the board the CTC had indicated support for the revised alignment and staff would submit the formal scope change for the CTC’s January meeting.

The new alignment places a portion of the path on Caltrans right-of-way to avoid using eminent domain or running the trail through sensitive private parcels. Leah Brooks, treasurer of Friends of the Bob Jones Trail, said her nonprofit has raised more than $223,000 in private donations so far and is continuing a fundraising campaign to help close remaining local funding gaps. Landowner representatives at the meeting asked for one technical clarification: county staff committed in writing that the county would not place permanent public parking or a trailhead on Clover Ridge Lane and said it would work with affected property owners to refine the edge of the trail there.

The board’s action included two parts: (1) adopt the resolution expressing board support for the CTC scope change and (2) approve the $5 million budget adjustment into the Bob Jones project account. Public Works said the county has worked with PG&E and Caltrans to expedite utility and right‑of‑way coordination and that the CTC staff report is expected to recommend approval in late January.

Why it matters: The Bob Jones Pathway is a multi-decade regional trail and active-transportation project that supporters argue will improve pedestrian and bicycle safety along a heavily traveled corridor and help local businesses and tourism. Delays and cost increases have threatened the project; the board’s vote was aimed at maintaining the revised, non-eminent-domain path and moving the project to construction in 2025.

Board action and next steps: Staff will file the required resolution and funding documentation with the California Transportation Commission to seek the commission’s approval of the scope change at its January meeting. County staff said they will continue to meet with affected landowners to finalize the construction alignment in the Clover Ridge Lane area and will return with construction scheduling and bid documents if the CTC approves the change.

Supporters and opponents: Friends of the Bob Jones Trail, SLO COG and Caltrans staff spoke in favor of the scope change and funding transfer. Several affected landowners and property representatives said they still had technical concerns about the final alignment where the trail meets Clover Ridge Lane; county staff promised additional on‑the‑ground review and a written commitment on parking. No formal opposition to the board’s funding transfer emerged during the meeting.

What’s next: If the CTC approves the scope change at its January hearing, Public Works will proceed with final design and open the project to construction bids; the county plans phased construction to reduce right‑of‑way needs and complete the safety improvements more quickly.