By Sarah Rohrs/Times-Herald staff writer
Posted: 08/27/2009
Cyclists from the Benicia Bicycle Club ride on a portion of the pedestrian/bike path across the Benicia Bridge. The path is expected to open with some fanfare Saturday morning. (Chris Riley/Times-Herald)
BENICIA -- For Mick Weninger of Vallejo, commuting to work involves leg power rather than horse power, and the new Benicia-Martinez Bridge Pedestrian Path will give him one more option for cycling to work.
Weninger, 73, is one of many Benicia Bicycle Club members and other avid cyclists anxiously awaiting the path's official opening Saturday morning. He said he makes his 50-mile commute to Concord by bicycle nearly every day.
Other club members tested out the new pathway Wednesday and liked what they found.
"I love it. I can't wait to ride it," cyclist Barbara Wood said. "This is really going to open up Solano County to Contra Costa."
Saturday's opening ceremony starts with an 8:30 a.m. ribbon-cutting on the Martinez side. At 10 a.m., another ribbon-cutting ceremony takes place on the Benicia side at Vista Point, a park-like area on the east side of the span accessible by the path and a vehicle access road.
The new bicycle/pedestrian pathway is 2.2-miles long, 12-feet wide and on the west side of the span that carries southbound traffic.
The path is part of the $500 million southbound bridge reconfiguration project that included seismic upgrades, and widening to four lanes with eight-foot shoulders on either side, a Caltrans official said.
In Benicia, the opening to the path and access road to Vista Point can be found at Park and Oak roads in the Benicia Industrial Park.
However, Vista Point will not be open for parking, and those who want to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony can park at the Amports parking lot across from the Camel Barn Museum and walk to the area, following the signs. A van and shuttle will be available for those needing it, authorities said.
In Benicia, a bicycle rodeo follows the ceremony at 10:45 a.m. at the Amports parking lot. Geared for youth, cyclists can undertake an obstacle course, and get their bikes checked out to ensure they are safe and in good working order, MTC spokeswoman Ursula Vogler said.
Those wishing to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremonies are asked to RSVP at (510) 817-5757, or visit www.mtc.ca.gov and follow the link for the opening ceremony.
Benicia Bicycle Club president Joe Marks said the new pathway will make it easier people to ride back and forth between Solano and Contra Costa counties.
Contact staff writer Sarah Rohrs at srohrs@thnewsnet.com or (707) 553-6832.
