View the Draft Plan & provide your input!

Draft Plan Document
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Draft Plan Appendix
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The Draft Corridor Plan is available for public input!  Please contact us with any questions or comments: paige.peel@ghd.com

Note: Concept illustrations shown in this document are in draft form and are subject to change through additional design review. 
This draft document will serve as a guide for additional stages of concept design and will help prioritize improvements based on community feedback.

landscape image of Chester Main Street area

Chester Main Street Community Connectivity Plan

This Plan presents an opportunity to transform State Route 36 into a vibrant and community-oriented Main Street for the Town of Chester and the Lake Almanor community.

Get Involved

Thank you for your interest in the Chester SR 36 Community Connectivity Plan. Your input is very important throughout the planning process. Find ways to get involved with the project by clicking one of the links below.

Ideas Wall

Share and discuss ideas for and pictures of ideal Main Streets in California.

Add Your Idea
interactive project map image

Interactive Project Map

Add your location-specific ideas and comments on the project map. 

See Project Map

Parent Survey

Let us know about your child's experiences traveling to/from Chester Elementary School.

Take the Survey

Teacher and School Staff Survey

Let us know about your experiences traveling to/from Chester Elementary School as a teacher or school staff member.

Take the Survey

Project Background

This Plan will produce a roadmap to implement improvements along Chester Main Street (SR 36) that serve a variety of transportation needs using Complete Streets planning and design elements. Complete Streets improvements aim to provide safer and more comfortable transportation options for people of all ages and abilities while enhancing public spaces for community activity along the corridor (read more below). 

Improvement recommendations for Chester Main Street will be developed in partnership with the community to create a plan that works for residents, business owners, and visitors to Chester (see options to get involved!).

Click the questions below to read more about the planning process:

This Plan was initiated by Plumas County Transportation Commission (PCTC) and is funded by Caltrans’ Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant Program. This Plan aims to transform Chester Main Street (SR 36) into a Complete Street by providing safer and more comfortable transportation options for people of all ages and abilities. The Plan will examine existing limitations to the highway’s function as a vibrant Main Street, including the lack of sidewalks, bike lanes, and adequate public spaces for community activity. 

This Plan is also a timely opportunity to reconsider the function of SR 36 as Lake Almanor’s economy rebounds from the impacts of both COVID-19 and the devastating 2021 Dixie Fire, recognizing the highway’s role as a regional connection through Plumas County. 

Caltrans recognizes the need to improve safety and accessibility along California’s state highways by incorporating Complete Street elements into the planning and design of roadway improvements. Complete Streets improvements aim to accommodate mobility options for people of all ages and abilities and for all modes of travel, including driving, walking, biking, and taking transit. 

Examples of Complete Street design elements include: 

  • Continuous and connected sidewalks and bike lanes
  • Comfortable and convenient transit facilities
  • Frequent and safe pedestrian crossings
  • Accessibility improvements, per the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Additional Complete Street design elements that aim to vehicular speeds, reducing pedestrian crossing distances across roadways, and provide wider sidewalks and public spaces along the roadway include:

  • Curb extensions (or bulb-outs)
  • Median island with pedestrian refuge
  • Reduced travel lanes (“Road Diet”)

Complete Street examples are shown in the image gallery below. 

Thank you for your interest in the SR 36 Complete Streets Plan. Your input is very important throughout the planning process. Please use the following links to provide input:

  • Interactive Project Map: Add your location-specific ideas and comments on a map.
  • Idea Wall: Share and discuss ideas for and pictures of ideal Main Streets in California.

Upcoming Public Events

The Draft Corridor Concept is available for public input. Please connect with us via the contact form below, or email address provided. 

28
November
2023

Community Workshop # 4: Draft Plan Review

WHAT: The Project Team will present the Draft Plan and seek feedback from the public. 

WHEN: Tuesday November 28th, 2023, 5:30 P.M. - 7 P.M.

WHERE: Almanor Rec Center at 101 Meadowbrook Loop

School Outreach

Ongoing engagement with local schools to improve mobility and safety. Please contact us to provide your input on ways to improve safe access to schools!

1
August
2023

Community Workshop #3: Draft Plan Release

WHAT: The Project Team will present the Draft Corridor Concept and seek feedback from the community. 

WHEN: Tuesday, August 1, 2023, 5:30 P.M. - 7:00 P.M. 

WHERE: Almanor Rec Center, 451 Meadowbrook Loop

27
July
2023

Pop-Up Event

The Project Team hosted a pop-up event at the Chester Farmer's Market on Thursday July 27, 2023 to share information about the draft corridor concept with the public. 

27
February
2023

Town Hall Meeting

The Project Team hosted a Town Hall Meeting at the Theater on Monday February 27, 2023 at 5:15 PM. 

29
November
2022

Community Workshop #2: Conceptual Design Alternatives

WHAT: Learn more about the project and provide your feedback on the conceptual design alternatives being considered

WHEN: Tuesday November 29th, 2022, 5:30 P.M. - 7 P.M.

WHERE: Almanor Rec Center at 101 Meadowbrook Loop

4
July
2022

Pop-up Event

The Project Team attended The Chester 4th of July Fun Run is on Monday July 4, 2022.

20
July
2022

Community Workshop #1

WHAT: Learn more about the project and engage with the project team

WHEN: Wednesday, July 20, 2022, 5:30 P.M. - 7:00 P.M. 

WHERE: Almanor Rec Center, 451 Meadowbrook Loop

26
April
2022

Open House/Plan Kick-Off

The Project Team hosted an Open House event to kick-off the Chester Main Street Community Connectivity Plan. 

Project Timeline

Phase Complete

Project Initiation

The project was initiated in March of 2022.

Phase Complete

Data Collection & Existing Conditions

Data collection and development of the existing conditions report was preprated to establish a baseline for analyzing improvement options for Chester Main Street/SR 36.

Phase in Progress
Current Phase

Community Engagement

Community engagement is ongoing. 

Phase Complete

Recommendations Development & Analysis

Improvement options are being developed based on an extensive evaluation of existing transportation conditions and public feedback. These improvement options will then be analyzed and compared to establish the preferred set of solutions for the Plan. 

Phase in Progress
Current Phase

Plan Development

A Draft Plan will be developed and brought back to the public for review and comment opportunities. 

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