San Mateo County Devil's Slide Coastal Trail opens Thursday, March 27, 2014

Half Moon Bay Review/Julia Reis, 3/13/14.  "Devil's slide trail set to open but questions remain. Lack of pedestrian route to Devil's Slide Trail concerns locals."

"The much-anticipated Devil’s Slide Trail set to open March 27 is expected to attract crowds of locals and out-of-towners alike who are eager to see the newest Bay Area recreational spot set against dramatic Pacific Ocean views.

True, we used to drive this trail

Midcoast view looking toward Pacifica

It’s that expected influx of people — 80,000 people are expected to visit the new trail each year — that has some Coastsiders concerned about traffic congestion and pedestrian safety outside the trail itself.

“On the trail, people will get along fine, whereas (with) people outside the trail walking along and crossing the highway, there will be a much greater potential for problems,” said Pat Tierney, an El Granada resident who serves on the Midcoast Parks and Recreation Committee and is the chair and professor of the Department of Recreation, Parks and Tourism at San Francisco State University."

....  The city of Pacifica has a free weekend shuttle from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. that will stop at the north portal parking lot of the trail, but that service has seen low ridership since it started in December 2012, Horsley says. He believes it would benefit Pacifica and the Midcoast if an arrangement could be worked out to bring the free shuttle service down the coast, perhaps with a stop at Half Moon Bay Airport."  Read article.

Reference (the project) -  San Mateo County Parks Department, "Devil's Slide Coastal Trail project". "Construction begins on Devil's Slide Trail."  "Work on the south end of the 1.3-mile-long trail has begun. Portions of what was once a highway require surface repairs in order to ensure safe use by hikers and bicycle riders. In addition, 10 interpretive panels will be placed at key points along the trail to provide visitors historic, geographic and bird and marine life information. By February, work will move to the north end of the trail with an expected completion and entire trail opening date in late March.  The Devil’s Slide Trail Project involves the conversion of the segment of Highway 1 south of the City of Pacifica, which was closed after the opening of the Devil’s Slide Bypass Tunnels, into a public multi-use non-motorized trail. The project includes roadway surfacing, signage, accessibility improvements, habitat protection, and overlooks. The 90% project plans include revisions based on public comments and staff review."  Note:  photographs from this San Mateo County Parks website.

Posted by Kathy Meeh