Work has started on a new multi-use path along the south bank of the Lower American River with the goal of creating a continuous, accessible river-trail network in Sacramento.The Two Rivers Trail Phase 2 project just started construction this week, according to Adam Randolph, project manager and senior engineer with the City of Sacramento’s Department of Public Works. The $7 million trail project will create more than two miles of paved pathway, providing a link between H Street and Sutter’s Landing Park and into the Central City.Randolph said the contractor doing construction for the path just started on the physical trail work this week.“Right now, they’re clearing the footprint for the trail. They’re digging out all the root balls from shrubs that had to be removed, or digging out grass, all organic materials. Immediately following that, they’ll start bringing in soil fill, basically specialized dirt that meets the quality that’s needed for building on top of the levees out there. They’ll bring that soil in and then they’ll start the grating and paving operations, putting down base rock, putting down actual asphalt, so we have a real trail out there,” Randolph said.Randolph said the Two Rivers Trail Phase 2 project has been 13 years in the making and added that it fits with the city’s larger goal to create a comprehensive and connected trail system.“It’s been in the city’s plans for decades to build a continuous river-trail network, so it’s definitely a goal the city’s had for a long time. It is going to be an amazing recreational amenity, but it will also be a really good commuter corridor for people trying to get from the east side of town into midtown, downtown area,” Randolph said. “It’s really kind of an amazing thing to see it all come together in the end and to actually get shovels in the ground.”One challenge facing the project, Randolph said, is that other projects by Caltrans and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are happening in the same area at the same time.“We’ll be waiting for those to finish before we can do our final pave out,” Randolph said.The progress on the trail project is welcome news to Debra Banks, executive director of the Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates. The mission of Banks’ organization is to encourage people to get on their bikes. She said the fact that the second phase of the Two Rivers Trail project connects trails and creates an extended pathway for cyclists, such as her, is exciting.“I’m super psyched about it,” Banks said. “To be able to close those gaps in the trails is huge, and it seems like it’s a small little piece, but actually for the bigger whole system, it’s really a big thing.”Those who walk the paths at Sutter’s Landing Park, including Sacramento residents Linda Aston, Amy Feagans and their dogs, said they are glad to hear that more paved trails are being added to the area. “I really appreciate the dedication and the commitment to more trails for people with dogs and people jogging and riding bikes,” Aston said.Feagans added, “Fantastic. Keep it coming. If they could do it all over the place, a loop that we could go on and just walk and walk would be wonderful, and if it’s multi-use with bikes and dogs and kids, it’s even better. The American River bike trail is such a huge asset in this area. I just love it, so more of that would be always a good thing.”Randolph told KCRA 3 that if the Two Rivers Trail Phase 2 project, as well as the Caltrans and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects, stay on track, he expects the final paving of the path to happen by the end of this year.Phase 3 of the trail is still in the planning stages right now. That would connect Sutter’s Landing Park to both the Sacramento Northern Trail and the Two Rivers Trail Phase 1.