South Arcata Multi-Modal Safety Improvements Plan (SAMSIP)

Planning and Concept Design Development Phase

Past Events

On Saturday, April 26, 2025, the City and RCAA hosted a pop-up event near Rotary Park on South G Street to provide some ideas for what improvements might look and feel like within the project corridor along Samoa Boulevard and South G Street. The goal of this event was to provide an idea of what safety and beautification alternatives can offer and inspire community members to also offer other ideas that they would like to see incorporated. This pop-up featured protected bike lanes, landscaped bulb-outs, and an enhanced visibility crosswalk.  

The City and project team hosted a second public workshop on Thursday, April 29, 2025, at the Arcata Marsh Commons at 101 H Street, Arcata, CA. The project team outlined initial improvement concepts based on community input received so far. This workshop offered an opportunity for the community to further help the project team shape the vision for the future of the interchange design. 

Your input is welcomed and appreciated.

Here is a link to the flier for both upcoming events: /DocumentCenter/View/15133

Press Release dated April 11, 2025: /DocumentCenter/View/15138

Past Workshops 

On August 29, 2024 the City hosted its first public workshop event at the Arcata Community Center, 321 Dr. M.L.K. Jr. Parkway. GHD and RCAA provided an overview of the project objectives and discussed the online surveys and Social Pinpoint map. Community members were able to leave comments regarding what they love about different aspects of Arcata, things they wondered about how areas could be different, and things they wish that could be incorporated into the interchange concept design. At least 30 members of the community showed up and provided valuable feedback for this project. The slideshow from this workshop can be found here: (Workshop 1 Presentation)

 On October 19, 2024, 22 community members joined the project team on a guided walking tour of either side of the US Highway 101 and State-Route 255 interchange. While the tour did not involve walking across the overpass or either of the on and off ramps, community members were able to collectively express comments and concerns about theirs or second-hand experiences navigating the interchange by vehicle, bicycle, or walking. The group also walked along Samoa Boulevard and South G St as these areas are interconnected with the project area. 

Background

In August 2023, the City of Arcata was awarded funding through the Department of Transportation Sustainable Transportation Planning Sustainable Communities Grant. The South Arcata Multi-Modal Safety Improvements Plan (SAMSIP) aims to analyze the existing conditions surrounding the Highway 101 and State Route 255 interchange at the southern extents of the City of Arcata. In the beginning of 2024, the City of Arcata selected GHD and RCAA as its consultant and sub-consultant after completing a request for proposals process. The City will work with GHD and RCAA to form a project taskforce and conduct community outreach events to gather input from the community and form a 30% concept design to present to the Humboldt County Association of Governments (HCAOG) and the City Council.

Project Goals

⏺     Provide connectivity between Southern Arcata and Sunnybrae neighborhoods

⏺     Improve multi-modal transportation networks

⏺     Increase public safety

⏺     Conduct community outreach, surveying, project taskforce meetings, and public discussions to gather collective input.

⏺     Develop a 30% concept design to present to City Council