Hikers, students, and cyclists, will soon have a new route leading to scenic viewpoints with a trail expansion in Irvine.
The $14.5 million Jeffrey Open Space Trail (JOST) expansion project in Irvine will ultimately link existing segments of the trail with a protected pathway over the I-5 freeway.
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The trail project is part of a series of existing trails around Orange County that will now provide the opportunity for cyclists and pedestrians to travel from the Pacific Ocean all the way up to the Santa Ana Mountains and Cleveland National Forest, officials say.
The trail can be used when traveling from places like UCI to the Woodbury Town Center, however, gaps in the trail make it difficult for those traveling long stretches.
Especially when cyclists or pedestrians have to share the road with cars zooming past at 55 miles per hour or cross ramps at the I-5.
Youssef Kaddeche, member of Remake Irvine Streets for Everyone (RISE), notes how important the trail expansion is when it comes to connecting north and south Irvine.
“Right now the city is kind of divided in two by the I-5 in many ways or there’s really no way to safely cross the north side to the south side, but a small accession of the Peters Canyon Trail on the edge of the city,” said Kaddeche.
“[The trail expansion is] going to be really consequential in connecting the rest of the city together and serve as a really vital north and south bicycle corridor.”
The project is expected to be completed in March 2026.
As of January, the JOST bridge foundations pilings are built, falsework steel beams have been built over and across the Jeffrey Road off-ramp at the northbound I-5 Freeway, and the first phase of the bridge superstructure has been poured.
The JOST extension to the south of the bridge is currently in the design phase with construction expected to start in late 2025, according Linda Fontes, City of Irvine Public Information Officer.
With a current length of 3.5 miles through Irvine, the trail offers pedestrians and cyclists transportation alternatives. The 1.5 mile bridge extension from Barranca and I-5 is a critical piece in completing a Class I bicycle and pedestrian trail.
Class 1 bikeways are pathways that are fully separated from streets and highways to provide a dedicated pathway for cyclists and pedestrians.
Motor vehicles are prohibited from class 1 bike paths and provide alternative routes where roadways are not conducive to bicycle travel or where there is a high volume of traffic.
While the path plays a role in creating safer environments for cyclists, many pedestrians also utilize the path to enjoy scenic walks in Irvine.
Robert and Taylor Lanning have been living in Irvine for a couple of years and discovered the trail naturally when looking for places to walk in Irvine.
Despite their concerns regarding the speed of e-bikes on the path, they both hope the expansion will enhance safety and provide more natural spaces for pedestrians.
Kaddeche also notes how it is useful for college students, who tend to bike more, and want to explore the city.
“I’m a student at UC Irvine and I e-bike to school,” said Kaddeche. “[When biking] you’re dealing with freeway ramp cars [that typically] don’t yield to you.”
“There’s really no safe way to get across, so it’s going to be pretty consequential in getting people to access major destinations via bike.”
When completed, the JOST bridge will be the longest in Irvine, spanning approximately 1,200 linear feet, crossing over a storm drain channel, Caltrans Park & Ride, Walnut Avenue, and the I-5 Freeway.