Frequently Asked Questions

1. Will the bike lanes on the greenway be protected from vehicles?

Yes. The bike lanes being built as part of the greenway will include a divider between the bike lanes and the motor vehicle lanes.  

2. Will I be able to find street parking when the project is complete? 

Almost every property along the corridor has off-street parking, either a driveway, garage or both. However, we understand that does not always accommodate all tenants or guests of a property. On-street parking will be available in the surrounding streets for guests, but please note that some streets within the project area participate in a Residential Parking District requiring a permit to park on the street. If you are interested in expanding parking district boundaries to your street, please contact the City Parking Services Division at ParkingInfo@slocity.org for more information. The project includes various improvements to the walking environment, such as curb ramps, hi-visibility crossing and traffic calming to create a comfortable and accessible corridor.

3. I I live on a street where parking will be removed for the bike lane, how will my trash be picked up/where should I place my bins? 

Protected and/or buffered bicycle lanes conveniently provide a space where trash bins should be set. Residents should avoid placing bins within the bike lanes as this creates hazards for cyclists and trash collection services. It is also a violation of the California Vehicle Code and can result in a citation. The photo linked here indicates where trash bins can be safely placed and accessed for disposal on dedicated pick-up days. 

4. How will service providers access my property? 

From time to time, there may be a need for service or utility trucks to block the protected bike lane. This is the same process for closing a traditional bicycle lane or auto lane temporarily. Encroachment permits are needed to safely and adequately close the bike lane. Please contact the City Public Works Department at (805) 781-7015 to request a permit if you have activities at your home or business that require temporary closure of traffic/bike lanes.

5. I'm concerned about not seeing people biking when I pull out of my driveway. 

Drivers exiting a driveway should already be looking for oncoming traffic (motor vehicles, bicycle, pedestrian) in both directions prior to entering the street. In some existing conditions, cars parked on the street obstructed clear sight of oncoming traffic. The completed project will restrict parking on the side of the protected bike lane, providing an unobstructed view of roadway users.

6. Will the separated bike lanes be swept? 

Yes, the City is prepared to sweep new protected bike lane installations using a combination of manual sweeping and narrow mechanical sweepers. Sweeping will be performed on a regular schedule each month; however, residents are encouraged to notify City maintenance staff of any concerns with debris or hazards in the roadway at any time by filing a report via the City website (www.slocity.org).

7. Who will take care of the new trees? 

The project includes planting approximately 60 new trees along the project route. Some of the areas will be hooked up to irrigation, while others will be located within parkways (the landscape area between the sidewalk and the street). These street trees will be maintained by a contractor until the trees are established (typically for one year).

8. Who will take care of the planter boxes? 

The project includes planter boxes along the protected bike lanes (about 300 total along the route). The planter box installation and maintenance will be overseen by the City Public Works Department, with ongoing maintenance to be included as part of the City’s ongoing contract streetscape/median landscape maintenance efforts.

9. Are there future bikeway connections proposed? 

The North Chorro Neighborhood Greenway will connect Downtown SLO to Cal Poly at Highland. The greenway will connect directly to the protected bike lanes on Marsh and Higuera Streets, and the Cerro Romauldo Greenway (also currently in construction) which connects from Pacheco Elementary School to Bishop Peak Elementary School.

10. Will ramps be added at the corners of intersections? 

46 accessible curb ramps will be constructed along the route. While some ramps will not be upgraded, these were limited to corners that required significant costs to reconstruct, or those that didn’t have an existing sidewalk.

11. Will there be any trees removed and are there any trees being planted?

The project includes planting 60 new trees along the corridor. Eight trees are currently designated for removal within the easement area for the shared use path to cross through the field between Foothill/Ferrini and Ramona. The tree removal has been reviewed and approved by the City’s arborist.

12. Will any lighting be installed as part of the project?

In 2021, the City worked with PG&E to install six new standard streetlights along the greenway route, filling in gaps where existing street lighting did not meet current City standards and spacing requirements. This current construction effort includes additional pedestrian-scale lighting to be installed along the new shared-use path through the LDS Church property as well as within the underpass on Chorro Street at Highway 101, which currently features no safety lighting. The underpass will also include decorative lighting integrated into the custom public art fencing.

13. Will parking permits be required?

Some streets within the project area already participate in a Residential Parking District requiring a permit to park on the street. That said, no additional Residential Parking Districts are currently under consideration. Typically, these districts are resident-driven, however City staff will actively be monitoring the parking occupancy within the neighborhood and working with the residents regarding options for future residential parking districts. If you are interested in initiating a request to expand parking district boundaries to your street, please contact the City Parking Services Division at ParkingInfo@slocity.org for more information.

14. How long will construction take and when will it start?

Construction is planned to begin in mid 2023 and is currently scheduled to be completed by early/mid 2024.

15. What will access look like during construction? 

Residents should expect temporary closures and detours throughout construction. The project inspection team and contractor(s) will work with residents to always provide access to their properties.

15. I am disabled and am concerned about not being able to find street parking near my home. Can the City consider installation of an accessible on-street parking space on my block?

The City will address requests for on-street accessible parking on a case-by-case basis and generally follows this process:

1. Review the applicant’s property to confirm that an accessible parking stall cannot be properly accommodated based on site constraints.

2. Confirm that the applicant can verify that they have a legal right to park in a designated accessible space.

3. Confirm that the applicant has no viable access to accessible parking off-street on their property.

4. Provide notice to adjacent properties on the same block so that others are aware of the proposed change.

Project contact

Jennifer Rice, project manager 
jrice@slocity.org, 805-781-7058 

Bobby Browning, project inspector 
bbrowning@slocity.org