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See the Project Time Line Here! Including information updated in 2004

Manzanita Avenue Improvement Project

Project Area: Manzanita Avenue from East Avenue at Fire station 5, crossing Lindo Channel, then intersecting with Hooker Oak Avenue at Hooker Oak Park, then intersecting with Valombrosa, and crossing Big Chico Creek, to connect with Chico Canyon Road & Bruce Road.

Project Alternatives: Currently the City of Chico is considering 4 possible improvement scenarios ranging from 2 to 4 lanes thru this corridor. With Price tags of up to $9.5 million on this 1.5 mile stretch of road.. 

Plan B: While somewhat similar to the City's Alternative 5, Plan B is different. 

While Plan ‘B’ makes large improvements to Manzanita within its current 60' wide right of way, it proposes to leave Manzanita as a 2-lane scenic road through Bidwell Park, with innovative 100-foot roundabouts at Vallombrosa and Hooker Oak Avenue and left turn pockets at Centennial. 

To local residents, Plan ‘B’ seems like a ‘no-brainer.’ Not only would it save preserve the rural park feel of the area, but it would only cost $750,000 versus the $3.7 -$9.3 million for city Plans 2, 3 and 4.    

Plan B provides many benefits:

• Improves the Traffic Flow!
• Improves the roadway into the existing road right of way
• Avoids the ‘taking’ of Bidwell Park land and private homes
• Provides bike lanes on both sides of the road.
• Retains a footpath for walkers, runners and equestrians 
• Provides for a pedestrian call button and light at Valombrosa.
• Prevents the installation of 6 more costly, ugly and intrusive traffic lights in this short 1.5-mile section.
• Saves $2.95-$8.55 million over the other alternatives. 
• Preserves the rural "Park-Like" appearance of the area.

And, Plan B Handles The Traffic!

When in contrast, some the other proposals merely extend the ugly East Avenue thru Bidwell Park. 

Let's not just slap more asphalt down, let's improve Manzanita in a way that handles the traffic and preserves the Rural Park Feel that  IS  Chico!

Instead of the same ole asphalt & traffic lights....

The intersection of Manzanita & Vallombrosa could look more like this:

The Chico City Council will begin to consider the Manzanita corridor plans on May 7, 2002. All members of the community are encouraged to attend and to make their views known to the Council members. And to Contact City Council Members directly, and often.

Next Page

Links

Compare the Alternatives here

Plan B Road Cross Section Drawing.

Plan B Drawing of Manzanita & Vallombrosa Intersection.

Great Information on Roundabouts, including photos, video & animations.

Some of the information on this site is in PDF format. PDF files require the Adobe Acrobat Reader. 

11/30/08    

Please Contact City Council With Your Thoughts On This Subject!

Suggestions or Comments on the Web Site, Please e-mail: manzanita@accsat.com