Sonoma City public works outlines Ghost Sonoma bike-and-pedestrian improvements, $1.6 million grant

The Sonoma City Climate Action Commission heard a presentation from Public Works Director Mike Berger on the Ghost Sonoma citywide bicycle and pedestrian improvements project, including funding, design status and a tentative construction timetable. Berger said the city received a competitive grant of $1,600,000 through the Sonoma County Transportation Authority as part of the Go Sonoma funding program, and the design contract with consultant GHD is for $380,000. He said the consultant’s 65% design submittal has been received and the next steps are city comments, revisions and a move to 90% design.

The update matters because the project implements elements of the city’s recently updated Active Transportation Plan and includes several safety and accessibility improvements. Berger described project elements that target higher-volume crossings and school access, including raised crosswalks, flashing beacons (RRFBs), new pedestrian ramps, a pedestrian refuge at Studley and Fifth Street West (near the Safeway), and a Class I trail connecting the rear of Sassarini School to the existing trail network.

“The contract was awarded to our consultant engineering firm, GHD, in September,” Berger said. “Currently, we just received the 65% design submittal and the next steps are going to include comments from the city, possible revisions, and moving forward to a 90% design completion.” He also noted the funding gap: “The first opinion of probable cost for the project that we…