Humboldt Bay Rail with Trial or Bust by 2019!

The North Coast Rail Authority (NCRA) met at the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors chambers yesterday and Karen Diemer, the City of Arcata Environmental Services Deputy Director gave an update on the Humboldt Bay Rail with Trail Project.  The phase 1 portion of the project is funded and should be completed by the end of 2015 to Samoa Boulevard. Phase 2 to Bracut has also been funded and should be completed by 2016. Phase 3 or the “Bay Trail South” phase to Eureka is more complicated and will require a 2 year environmental review and has not been completely funded. Most likely won’t be complete until 2019. Lots of sea level rise, Eucalyptus tree and freeway crossing issues.  Once the trail is able to connect to Eureka, there are other processes to connect. Phase “C” or the North end of the Eureka side of the project is underfunded by about 1.5 million dollars. But on target to be complete by 2018. Phase “B” and “A” to southern Eureka are funded and hope to be completed by 2016. Lots of discussion on sea level rise and how that affects the project.

Other items of importance for the NCRA meeting was property management issues with Parallel Infrastructure and a cell tower in Willits. We agreed to terms outlined by the contractor. 6-2 yes.

The Directors for the NCRA agreed to move forward to a property configuration that positions the NCRA to sell property in Ukiah. A big move to put the agency into the black for many years to come.