Fortuna News: State Grant Advances Planning for 6.2-Mile Great Redwood Trail Segment Toward Fernbridge

FORTUNA NEWS | LOCAL REPORTING · 2026

The California State Coastal Conservancy approved grant funding in 2026 for a planning effort led by the City of Fortuna to develop a 6.2-mile segment of the Great Redwood Trail. The segment would run from State Route 36 toward Fernbridge, connecting city and unincorporated areas in Humboldt County.

What the June grant supports

According to the June 23, 2026 state Notice of Exemption, the grant funds tribal and community engagement, surveys and other resource studies, trash removal, vegetation management and development of 30-percent design plans. These steps are intended to prepare a future trail project and evaluate local needs, rather than announce a fully built six-mile trail.

Why the corridor is important

The former railroad corridor has the potential to support walking, biking, nature access and local transportation connections. A route between the Fortuna area and Fernbridge could provide benefits for residents and visitors, but its final alignment, permitted crossings, maintenance and accessibility will depend on project design and later construction decisions.

Working with communities and tribes

The state funding announcement explicitly includes tribal and community engagement. That is important in a region where transportation routes intersect with cultural resources, waterways, habitat and working lands. Consultation and field studies are part of shaping the concept before detailed engineering proceeds.

How to track the next milestones

Residents can request the study boundaries, public engagement dates, preliminary designs and the costs and funding sources required to move from 30-percent drawings to construction. Fortuna News will not present the planning award as an opened trail. Readers can submit source documents, local perspectives and corrections to help improve future coverage.

Official sources

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