Blue Lake Rancheria Long Range Transportation Plan

Green DOT Transportation Solutions partnered with the Blue Lake Rancheria to prepare the 2024 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP), a comprehensive roadmap for enhancing multimodal mobility, safety, and accessibility over a 20-year horizon. The plan was developed to meet federal Tribal Transportation Program requirements while aligning with the Rancheria’s sustainability, economic development, and community resilience goals.

The LRTP process included an in-depth assessment of existing conditions through data analysis, a detailed infrastructure field audit, and a review of prior planning documents. Green DOT facilitated robust community and stakeholder engagement, including surveys, social media updates, workshops with Tribal members, and coordination with key partners such as Caltrans, the City of Blue Lake, Humboldt County, and the Humboldt County Association of Governments.

Through this collaborative process, the LRTP identified a prioritized list of projects designed to improve transportation safety and access. Key recommendations included pedestrian upgrades along Chartin Road, casino parking lot circulation improvements, a reimagined C Store access plan, an on-demand transit pilot to connect to McKinleyville, and a new multimodal trail system along the scenic Mad River. Each project was developed with a focus on safety, accessibility, cultural context, and low-maintenance solutions to reflect the Rancheria’s staffing and funding capacity.

The LRTP also outlined a clear funding and implementation strategy, positioning the Tribe to compete for state and federal programs such as the Tribal Transportation Program Safety Fund, Active Transportation Program, and RAISE grants. By providing a forward-looking, community-driven vision, the plan empowers the Rancheria to pursue infrastructure investments that advance mobility, equity, and sustainability for Tribal members and the broader region.