San Jose Walk/Bike Trail Moves Forward

The new trail will offer key connections to a new BART station and other local trails.

1 minute read

September 15, 2023, 7:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Old railroad line overgrown with grass with cars parked in background

Current conditions on a segment of the future Five Wounds Trail in San Jose, California. | RRM Design Group / Five Wounds Trail Feasibility Study

The final piece of a bike and pedestrian trail in San Jose gained a crucial approval from the city council this week, according to an article by Gabriel Greschler in The Mercury News.

“The Five Wounds Trail will give pedestrians and cyclists the ability to travel north to south over a 2.17-mile paved pathway in the city’s Little Portugal neighborhood — with an expected completion date by 2031.” The trail will offer a connection to the future Little Portugal BART station, the Coyote Creek Trail, and the Lower Silver Creek Trail.

Greschler adds, “The council’s vote on Tuesday secured a stretch of railroad tracks owned by the Valley Transportation Authority for no cost — though the city will likely have to pay around $5 million to clean up environmental hazards that have been detected along the path. In addition to access to transportation hubs, the trail also will be near major city landmarks like the Japanese Friendship Garden, San Jose State University’s campus and Happy Hollow Park and Zoo. Officials also expect exercise equipment and other amenities to be placed along the way.”

Wednesday, September 13, 2023 in The Mercury News

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

September 16, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

Overlapping highways

The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin

People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.

September 8, 2026 - Benjamin Schneider

The Hoover Dam blocking the Colorado River. The river's water level is noticeably low. The cliffs surrounding the blue water are brown and jagged.

US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico

A new Colorado Treaty amendment reduces Mexico’s Colorado River water allocation by 250,000 acre feet.

September 11, 2026 - The Arizona Republic

Geese flock to a frozen pond in Aurora, Colorado. There are houses in the background.

Colorado’s Largest Data Center Could Rise Next to Homes — Without a Public Hearing

The proposed campus would consume 11 times the power of Denver International Airport; as it has across the country, opposition mounts.

6 seconds ago - Capital & Main

A cluster of wind turbines beneath a stormy sky, above a forest where the leaves are beginning to change colors.

5 New England states march closer to 800 megawatt wind energy project

Securing federal approval for the project may be complicated under the Trump administration, which has historically been hostile towards domestic wind power.

September 16 - Inside Climate News

People boarding a bus on Maryland's Orange Route.

Baltimore to break ground on $50 million Transit Priority Project

The project will bring faster bus trips, safer streets and better bike connections to Baltimore.

September 16 - Mass Transit

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.