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County accepts draft Noyo Harbor multimodal circulation plan; consultants to finalize after stakeholder feedback
Summary
The Board accepted a draft multimodal circulation plan for Fort Bragg's Noyo Harbor that proposes pedestrian walkways, a stair under Highway 1, wayfinding, limited parking reallocation and possible long-term intersection improvements; staff will finalize the plan after Noyo Harbor District and public input.
The Mendocino County Board of Supervisors accepted a draft multimodal circulation and safety plan for Noyo Harbor in Fort Bragg on Sept. 9 and directed staff to return with a final plan incorporating stakeholder feedback.
The plan, led by the Mendocino Council of Governments and funded by a Caltrans sustainable transportation planning grant, was presented by consultants Farr and Piers and partners. It responds to community concerns about conflicts among cars, parked vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists in the harbor area and recommends a package of short- and long-term measures to improve safety and access.
Key draft recommendations include a continuous pedestrian walkway from Highway 1 down North Harbor Drive and along the waterfront, a cantilevered walkway where right-of-way is constrained, improved beach-lot parking layout, a rehabilitated and enhanced stairway under Highway 1, pedestrian crosswalks and a wayfinding program that would also include evacuation-route signage. The plan identifies potential shuttle or water-taxi options and recommends a formalized emergency-access route for first responders.
Funding and implementation: Consultants said most capital improvements would require competitive grant funding such as Active Transportation Program grants or other state coastal-access sources. Board members and local officials discussed the feasibility and cost of a potential roundabout at the Highway 1 / North Harbor Drive intersection; staff said a roundabout would be a costly, long-term option and difficult to fund absent a strong accident history and identified funding sources.
Public input and next steps: The project team will present the draft to the Noyo Harbor District and revise the plan for a final adoption. Supervisor Norvell asked for clarification about a proposed inland access road; consultants said a full-time road to Noyo Point Road lacked community and property-owner support and presented environmental and right-of-way constraints, but a dedicated emergency-only access would remain in the plan. The board accepted the presentation unanimously.
