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CONSTRUCTION ZONE. MIKE: YOU CAN SEE THE BARRICADES IN PLACE NOW FOR WHAT WILL BE A MAJOR PROJECT MOVING THE BIKE PATH FROM HERE TO THIS LOCATION, 30 YARDS. IN WHAT IS PROMISED TO BE A MAJOR REALIGNMENT PROJECT. THE AMERICAN RIVER PARKWAY LOOKS A LOT DIFFERENT TODAY. A DETOUR SIGNS DIVERTS BICYCLE RIDERE AWAY FROM CONSTRUCTION WORK. AT MILE MARKER 16.5. >> WE ARE ABLE TO DO A REALIGNMENT AND MOVING THE PAID PORTION - -- THE PAVED PORTION AWAY FROM THE RIVER FOR A PERMANENT FIX. MIKE: TO PROTECT THE EMBANKMENT THAT COLLAPSED LAST NOVEMBER. THE REALIGNMENT WILL COST ABOUT $350,000 AND TODAY CREWS ARE ENFORCING A HARD CLOSURE NEAR THE CONSTRUCTION SITE WHERE HEAVY EQUIPMENT IS IN PLACE. DEER CAN BE SEEN ALONG THE TRAIL SHOWING JUST HOW CLOSE YOU ARE TO NATURE. MEANWHILE, CYCLISTS ARE EXCITED ABOUT THE PROJECT. >> OH, I THINK IT IS GREAT. I LOVE THIS BIKE TRAIL. I USE IT ALL THE TIME. THAT IS THE MAIN REASON I MOVED IN THIS AREA. MIKE: FOR RUNNERS THEY WERE ALL NEW -- THERE WILL BE A NEW FOR JOGGING, 30 YARDS AWAY FROM THE AMERICAN RIVER. >> I DO GETTING CLOSE TO THE WATER. THE VIEW IS WONDERFUL. IT GIVES YOU A REAL SENSE OF BEING IN THE OUTDOORS. IT IS GOING TO BE HIS FIRST STRETCH. MIKE: CREWS ESTIMATE IT WILL TAKE 4-6 WEEKS FOR THIS PROJECT TO BE COMPLETED.

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Construction barricades are now in place along mile marker 16.5 of the American River bike trail. The bike path is being moved -- a distance of about 30 yards or so -- as part of a major overhaul that is causing cyclists and runners to use detours on that portion of the American River Parkway.There are actually two construction projects underway in the area with two different funding sources. Here are three things to know about the bike trail construction projects:1) What's the project?In the first project, Sacramento County Regional Parks Department is spending $350,000 to move a portion of the parkway.“We finally are able to start the project,” Chief Park Ranger Michael Doane said.Doane said the project is “to do a trail realignment, moving the paved portion of the multiuse trail a little bit farther inland, away from the river for a permanent fix.”The parks project will shut down a 2-mile stretch of the parkway. Cyclists said they are not bothered by the detours because the are excited about the improvements.“Oh, I think it’s great,” said Wendy Devlin, who lives nearby. “I love riding on the bike trail. I use it all the days. That’s the main reason I moved to the area that I did so that I could be near the bike trail.”For runners, like Bart Ambrose, there will be a new jogging path at the 16.5 mile marker, where the trail will now be a little farther from the American River.“I do enjoy when I can get close to the water,” Ambrose said. “The view of the water is always wonderful and it gives you a real sense of being in the outdoors when you’re out in the middle of town. It’s going to be a short stretch and I don’t think it will be a big deal."2) What's the other project?The city of Rancho Cordova is simultaneously launching a $100,000 repair of the embankment overlooking the American River at mile marker 16.5.“We’re going to do some excavation in the area to stabilize it,” said Dalia Fadl, Rancho Cordova’s senior civil engineer. “We’re going to add some riparian rocks to help with future erosion and then we’re also going to line the outflow pipe itself."The repair project has the support of cyclist John Rogers. “I think that’s good," Rogers said. "They had a big washout there and I really appreciate that they keep the bike trail in good condition. It’s definitely a Sacramento jewel."3) What's the timeline for the projects to be completed?Doane is promising a quick fix.“We’re hoping that the total project will take 30 days to fix,”he said. “There’s going to be heavy equipment and then they’re going to be bringing in rocks. We’re going to have to repave, but the overall goal is four weeks -- maybe six weeks on the outside."“But, it is a hard closure so we do need people to not enter,” Doane added.Despite the warning, KCRA 3 spotted one man on Monday biking through the construction zone. He was told by construction crews to leave the site immediately.“Please honor the hard closure,” Doane said. “Don’t try to get around the barricades. It’s for their safety, it’s for the safety of our workers as well.”