VENTURA : Rail Site Sought to Extend Bike Paths
The Ventura City Council agreed Monday to negotiate for permission to extend the city’s bicycle paths onto 5.36 miles of abandoned railway at the western end of the city.
The council voted 5 to 1 to begin negotiating with Southern Pacific Transportation Co. to convert the unused rail bed into a bike trail. It runs along the Ventura River just north of Main Street and would connect the beachside bike trails with the Ojai Valley Trail at Foster Park.
Councilman Jim Monahan opposed the measure. Mayor Richard Francis was absent.
The council vote protects the railroad right of way from any other title claims, allowing the city to finish a study of the best possible trail routes and negotiate a sales agreement with Southern Pacific.
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