REDLANDS, Calif. – Pedestrians and cyclists will soon have a safer way to travel on Orange Street in north Redlands following the City Council's approval on Feb. 4 of a segment of the Redlands Regional Connector South Pedestrian and Bike Trail Project.
Why it matters: The initiative is part of a larger vision to create a protected bicycle facility connecting Redlands to Highland. However, officials said unforeseen environmental mitigation costs made it impractical to complete the full project at once. Instead, Redlands and Highland officials worked with the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) to divide the project and funding into smaller, more manageable portions.
Details: The Redlands City Council on Feb. 4 approved a construction contract worth about $624,000 with MetroCell Construction Inc. for a segment of the Redlands Regional Connector South Pedestrian and Bike Trail Project. The project is partially funded through a federal Carbon Reduction Program grant of about $765,000 and is expected to improve cycling and pedestrian access between Citrus Valley High School and Israel Beal Park.
“This is a segment of a much larger project that will eventually build a protected bicycle facility from Citrus Valley High School all the way into the city of Highland,” Municipal Utilities and Engineering Director John Harris said at the meeting. “We spent a couple of years trying to get through [environmental] issues, and we were not successful. The staff at Highland and my staff lobbied SBCTA to reconsider how we deliver the project.”
With SBCTA’s approval, Redlands is proceeding with the southern portion of the project, which will extend from Citrus Valley High School to Orange Street and link to Israel Beal Park. Highland is also preparing to construct its segment of the trail, officials said.
Map showing path segment in red from the city of Redlands agenda packet.
What they’re saying: A local cyclist and Highland resident spoke in favor of the project, sharing his concerns about safety on Orange Street.
“Biking on Orange Street is a way of life for me. But it doesn’t change the fact that it is terrifying every time I do it,” he told the council. “This route is needed for everyone who can’t or chooses not to pay over $10,000 a year for a car.”
Council members voiced strong support for the project, citing the safety benefits for cyclists and pedestrians.
“I first heard about this shortly after being elected in 2016,” Council Member Eddie Tejeda said. “Unfortunately, the kangaroo rat kept it from becoming a reality sooner rather than later. Thank you for pursuing it and for the partnership with SBCTA.”
The San Bernardino kangaroo rat was listed as an endangered species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 1998 due to significant habitat loss, fragmentation, and degradation.
Harris added that efforts are ongoing to secure funding for the remaining “gap segment” of the trail, which requires further environmental mitigation. He anticipates bringing funding solutions back to the council in the near future.
What’s next: The council unanimously approved the contract, advancing the project. The timeline for construction was not immediately available.
