(From the Napa Register)

The Napa Valley Vine Trail will be receiving $2.5 million in federal transportation funding for a bike trail between Napa and Yountville, Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena announced Friday.

The money will be used to construct the Solano Avenue section of the trail between north Napa and Yountville.

The project is already under design, with the prospect that construction could start next year, said Paul Price, executive director of the Napa County Transportation and Planning Agency.

Once completed, the Vine Trail will span 44 miles — from Calistoga to the Vallejo Ferry Building — giving pedestrians and bicyclists across the valley a clean and reliable form of transportation.

“The Napa Valley Vine Trail is exactly the kind of smart, targeted investment that will strengthen our economy while improving the quality of life in our local communities,” Thompson said in a statement. “Thanks to the generosity of the Department of Transportation and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, we’re one step closer to making this forward-thinking transportation project a reality.”

Friday’s announcement comes less than three months after Thompson and LaHood toured the Yountville Mile section of the trail, which was officially opened to the public earlier this year.

Vine Trail organizers say that the funding will go a long way toward to the goal of linking the city of Napa with Yountville in the north. (read more…)

• Path is open from sunrise to sunset.
• Motor vehicles are not permitted on the path.
• Pick up after yourself and your pet.
• Dogs must be kept on a leash.
• No open alcoholic beverages allowed.
• Stay off trees.
• Respect your neighbors – stay on trail and out of private property

On Wednesday, April 14th, all of the parties involved in making the first dedicated segment of the Napa Valley Vine Trail possible – Yountville Public Works, CalTrans, NV Vine Trail Coalition, and others – gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking and officially toast all of the hard work that has gone into making the project a reality.

Below is the original press release announcing the construction schedule, and photos from the event can be found on Flickr (click here). Another press release is available (click here) which describes cost of project, contractors involved and other organizations who have provided their support.

MEDIA RELEASE Date: March 29, 2010

Highway 29 Bike Path Project – Yountville Segment

Ghilotti Construction of Santa Rosa is scheduled to begin construction of the $1.3 million Highway 29 Bike Path Project around April 15 and complete the work by July, weather permitting.  The project, funded by a Federal Stimulus grant, includes the construction of about 4,000 feet of Class 1 Bike Path along the east side of Highway 29 from California Drive to Madison Street and provides an attractive alternative walking path around the Town. “We are pleased to start this project which is the first segment of the Napa Valley Vine Trail, will create construction jobs locally, and improve safety for bicyclists and pedestrians in Yountville” stated Steve Rogers, Town Manager.

The following is list of major construction activities in chronological order:

• Testing for aerially deposited lead to see if contaminated soil must be hauled to a landfill.
• Placement of temporary K-rail barriers along the east shoulder of Highway 29 to protect workers from errant drivers.
• Excavation for and installation of storm drain pipes.
• Grading and compaction of soil under the path.
• Paving of the path with asphalt concrete.
• Pouring permanent concrete barrier rails along portions of the path within 30 feet of the travelway to protect the public from errant drivers.
• Striping a cross walk at the northbound ramps of Highway 29 and California Drive.
• Striping bike lanes on the south side of Madison Street for both directions of bike traffic.
• Installation of signage, benches, bike racks, trash receptacles, and fencing.
• Removal of temporary K-rail barriers.

The only disruption to highway traffic should be during the placement and removal of temporary K-rail barriers at night. “The Resident Engineer will closely monitor the 8 AM to 6 PM regular construction work hours, noise limits, dust control measures, and the number of allowable working days. There is a $4,000 per day penalty for every day that the contractor delays the substantial completion of the project.” stated Graham Wadsworth, Public Works Director. TRS Consultants is the construction management firm on the project and any questions about the construction should be directed to Jim Adair at 925-570-4866 or jadair@trsconsultants.com, or Graham Wadsworth, Public Works Director, at 707-944-8851.

We want to make this effort as open as possible to all in the community and so have created this website to contain up to the minute information on what is happening. The downside is that this information will change over time. Just because you see it here does not mean it is a done deal. We really want your continued comments on every aspect of what we are doing.