Diablo Road Trail Project

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History

For three decades, the Danville Townwide Trail Master Plan (adopted 1989) envisioned building a multi-purpose trail to close the gap between the existing Barbara Hale Trail and access to Mount Diablo State Park. This public trail segment is one of the most difficult to construct because it needed to traverse a creek and hilly terrain across the privately-owned Magee property.

The opportunity came with the approval of the 69-home Magee Preserve project, which dedicated 93% of the 410-acre ranch to public open space and trail development. A condition of the project’s approval required the developer to construct the eastern segment of the trail (located within the subdivision) and a dedicated public easement to the Town to construct the western segment.

Trail Alignment

While the eastern portion of the trail (to be constructed by the developer) would be relatively flat, the western portion – constructed by the Town – would encounter the most challenging conditions, which include creek crossings, steep slopes, and the most appropriate location to cross Diablo Road to connect to the existing Barbara Hale Trail. A summary of trail options are contained in this Project Digest.

Trail Funding

At the time of the Magee Preserve project approval, the Town had roughly 50% of the necessary funds to construct the project. By summer 2021, given its importance as a regional trail link, the Town was able to secure the remaining half of the funds and the project is now considered 100% funded.

History

For three decades, the Danville Townwide Trail Master Plan (adopted 1989) envisioned building a multi-purpose trail to close the gap between the existing Barbara Hale Trail and access to Mount Diablo State Park. This public trail segment is one of the most difficult to construct because it needed to traverse a creek and hilly terrain across the privately-owned Magee property.

The opportunity came with the approval of the 69-home Magee Preserve project, which dedicated 93% of the 410-acre ranch to public open space and trail development. A condition of the project’s approval required the developer to construct the eastern segment of the trail (located within the subdivision) and a dedicated public easement to the Town to construct the western segment.

Trail Alignment

While the eastern portion of the trail (to be constructed by the developer) would be relatively flat, the western portion – constructed by the Town – would encounter the most challenging conditions, which include creek crossings, steep slopes, and the most appropriate location to cross Diablo Road to connect to the existing Barbara Hale Trail. A summary of trail options are contained in this Project Digest.

Trail Funding

At the time of the Magee Preserve project approval, the Town had roughly 50% of the necessary funds to construct the project. By summer 2021, given its importance as a regional trail link, the Town was able to secure the remaining half of the funds and the project is now considered 100% funded.

  • Environmental Assessment & Preliminary Design Update

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    The environmental assessment and preliminary design phases of the Diablo Road Trail have been successfully completed. In spring 2023, the Town submitted applications for environmental permits to both state and regional regulatory agencies, including the California Department of Fish & Wildlife (CDFW) and Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB).

    Unfortunately, the winter storms of 2023 not only led to the collapse of the Diablo Road culvert but also led to considerable erosion of the creek embankment designated for the trail alignment. In fall 2023, CDFW issued the Town an extensive list of conditions for permit approval. Beyond significantly increasing the project’s scope and corresponding costs, the Town believes that these conditions appear to be disproportionate to the project’s limited environmental impact. Over the next several months the affected areas will be resurveyed, redesigned, and resubmitted to the regulatory agencies with a detailed response.

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  • Notice of Public Review Period and Intent to Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration of Environmental Significance

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    With 100% of the project funding secured, the Diablo Road Trail is entering its final phase before construction commences. This phase involves an environmental assessment of the trail project, completing the final design, and securing permits from regional and federal regulatory agencies.

    Notice of Public Review Period and Intent to Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration of Environmental Significance

    Diablo Road Trail Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration

    Appendix A - Air Quality Data

    Appendix B - Biological Resources and Arborist Report

    Appendix C - Archaeological Survey Report

    Appendix D - Geohazards Study

  • Summary of Diablo Road Trail – Segments and Alignment

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    We’re often asked: who is building the trail, where will it go, and what will it look like?

    The paved multi-purpose trail will be built partly by Davidon Homes (developer of the Magee Preserve project) and partly by the Town.

    Davidon Homes is required, as a condition of the development project’s approval, to build the eastern segment, approximately 3,750 linear feet or 0.71 miles, extending from the project entrance at Jillian Way westward to the EBMUD access gate (shown as the dashed white line).

    The Town will build the western segment on a dedicated public easement, extending westward from the EBMUD access gate to Fairway Drive. A new crossing system will connect the new trail to the existing Barbara Hale Trail that runs along the north side of Diablo Road west to Green Valley Road.

    The design features of the trail include: 8-foot wide paved pathway with 2-foot gravel shoulders separated 4-5 feet from Diablo Road with a physical barrier.

    This project is included in the Town’s Capital Improvement Program as project C-055. A total of $5.7 million has been reserved to fully fund the construction of the western segment.

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  • Project Update: Funding Secured and Roadway Crossing Design Underway

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    Substantial progress has been made on the Diablo Road Trail Project over the past 5 months. In addition to securing 100% of the project funds, preliminary trail alignments and sections as well as many of the environmental assessments, have been completed.

    The Town Council also authorized a professional services agreement on March 15, 2022, to design the trail crossing at Fairway Drive which would ultimately connect the existing Barbara Hale Trail along the north side of Diablo Road to the new Diablo Road Trail along the south side.

    The Diablo Road Trail is a 30+ year vision to close the gap between the existing Barbara Haile Trail and access to Mount Diablo State Park. This public trail will be constructed in partnership with Davidon Homes. The Town will construct the trail crossing system at Fairway Drive and western trail segment (shown in blue) while Davidon Homes will construct the segment shown in green.

    To view a map of the project area, click here.

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  • Project-Level Environmental Assessment Underway

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    Currently, an environmental assessment – specific to the project scope – is underway. This part of the effort is expected to conclude in winter 2022. After its completion, the Town would be able to complete final design work and begin the work of securing approvals from regulatory agencies.

Page last updated: 12 Mar 2024, 09:05 AM