New trail detour bypasses fire site
Published 12:00 am PDT Saturday, April 14, 2007
A new detour for cyclists and runners opened Friday evening past the site where fire destroyed a railroad trestle last month in the American River Parkway.
The detour consists of a three-quarter-mile dirt road running beneath a newly rebuilt rail structure and connecting at each end to the existing asphalt trail, county parks spokeswoman Vanessa Martin said.
Directional signs will be posted on the bike trail at both ends of the detour, Martin said.
For cycling commuters willing to ride on dirt, the route offers an alternative to riding alongside cars on Exposition Boulevard or on a longer gravel road behind Cal Expo, she said.
"It is going to be bumpy this weekend, but on Monday they will compact the dirt," Martin said.
The route is expected to remain in place while contaminated soil is removed from the area around the fire. Officials have not determined how long that work will take. A new asphalt trail will be built after the soil remediation work is done, Martin said.
-- Tony Bizjak
