Centennial Trail West Kick-off Today at Noon!

[Update: Successful Event!]

Next Steps:  

• Work with MRL/BNSF for permission for a pedestrian bridge over Henderson with a connection stairway to the Henderson trail near Capital High and Broadwater Estates (a closer bridge is need to protect sight-line for traffic safety and to save costs, but will likely need to be designed to be moved if rail required my rail maintenance and be fully enclosed with fencing to protect users, cars, and trains).
  
• Design and begin work to connect trail along Country Club to VA and Fort Harrison for Helena area residents, those employed and serving at those facilities, and those training at the fort and otherwise jogging on an unsafe road.
  
• Improve conductivity around Euclid/Montana/Helena Avenue junctions by improving or installing sidewalks and ADA ramps at all legs of intersection, improving crossing around the intersection, and investing in way finding and safety for the trail in the area.
  
• Establish and maintenance plan for the trail, possible with an "Adopt a Trail" model as is done with highway litter pickups and for some trails in Helena's open lands system. Some areas of the trail need occasional sweeping just like streets.   

Event Highlights:

•     A key to the city was awarded to Kelly Kugler and family for donating two vital sections of trail! Coins of recognition were provided to Prickly Pair Land Trust, Montana State Parks, Montana Department of Transportation, Narrate Church, Friends of Centennial Trail, and Helena's Non-Motorized Transit Advisory Council. Many other partners and supports of the trail were present and thanked as well. 

Celebration of Centennial Trail West made possible by four new sections of public
right-of-way made possible by donations and partnerships!

View KXLH Coverage Here!

[End Update]


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Ryan Kettel, Chair, NMTAC (406)495-0151

Helena Pedestrian Advocacy Group Hosts Centennial Trail Groundbreaking

October 16, 2015 – The City of Helena Non-Motorized Travel Advisory Council (NMTAC) is hosting an event celebrating the next phase of construction on Helena's Centennial Trail bicycle and pedestrian path. NMTAC will recognize the many people and organizations that worked together to make upcoming additions to the trail possible including the City of Helena, Lewis and Clark County, Montana State Parks, Prickly Pear Land Trust, Narrate Church, Friends of the Centennial Trail, and adjacent land owners.

Construction of a paved, ten foot wide, pedestrian path connecting the Montana Wild Center on Broadwater Ave through to the existing trail extending east from Joslyn St is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2016. Remediation work on former railroad beds will likely be completed this November.

Montana State Parks Marketing and Communications Manager Pat Doyle said "Montana State Parks is ecstatic about the completion of Centennial Trail connecting to Spring Meadow State Park. This is a great improvement for safety and recreational opportunities for local guests and visitors from across the state and nation. Montana State Parks looks forward to doing our part to compliment this effort going forward.” 

City Commissioner Haque-Hausrath said she is “very excited to see Centennial Trail moving towards completion. Centennial Trail provides an important connection for biking and walking across town, safe access to recreational opportunities for families who choose to reduce their fuel costs, and a tourism benefit for Helena."

The event is Friday at noon. Interested citizens will meet where the existing dirt trail intersects with Joslyn St, south of the railroad tracks. City and County Commissioners, along with representatives from Montana State Parks, Prickly Pear Land Trust and the Montana Department of Transportation will be on hand to discuss the project with the public and answer questions.

Related Posts:

Additional posts related to Centennial Trail linked here.

Permanent Easement for Centennial Trail West Acquired!!

Lewis & Clark County Commissioner Andy Hunthausen and Grants
Coordinator Laura Erickson displaying the easement May 29th, 2015!

Great news! Yesterday, May 29th, Lewis & Clark County was granted a permanent easement to allow an accessible bike and pedestrian trail along a former rail spur to connect Centennial Park to Spring Meadow State Park and the Montana Wild Center. Further, the trail will provide safe, healthy travel for Helena area residents of all ages for getting to work, school, or just getting outside for fun along a trail across Helena that is largely separated from roadways.

Many thanks are in order, especially to the private property owners who worked with the County and have granted a permanent public easement across their properties on both sides of Joslyn. Other thanks are listed is this post entitled "Centennial Trail West to be Build this Summer!" Photos of Centennial Trail East posted here. More photos and comments related to the trail follow. 

Centennial Trail is being funded by Community Transportation Enhancement Funds (CTEP), a federal program that was replaced by other allocation a few years ago. These funds were saved and dedicated by the City of Helena and Lewis & Clark County over several years and will need to be expended this summer. 

Sincerely,

Matt E

Looking East along the easement from Country Club that
will connect to Joslyn Street and other section of Centennial Trail.

Centennial Trail East providing a safe, accessible alternative
to the dirt road connecting Boulder to Billings via the Freeway
underpass. More photos here. 

Centennial Trail around the City of Helena Transfer Station
still needs improvement. 

A bridge is needed at Henderson to safely connect the trail
across a busy street with limited sight lines. A sidewalk to
Broadwater Estates and a stairway to the existing trail on
the other side should be installed as part of getting kids
safely to school. Funds from the a tax settlement and
"Urban Funds" should be used to construct the bridge.   

This ramp on the end of Front Street provides a connection
from Downtown to the Centennial Trail Network!

Click here for more details of this project. A notable difference
is that the trail will now directly connect the two arrows
above. Rapid flashing beacon, activated by users of
the trail will warn motorized traffic of persons crossing
Country Club and Josyln.

Fund Centennial Trail West!

Friends,

Centennial Trail has long been a priority of the City of Helena.  Recent revelations about available right-of-way for trail construction have the potential to defund the Western part of the trail. Your City Commission will have to decide whether or not to pursue the trail this Wednesday at 4pm. I hope to find support for the following proposal to utilize soon to expire funds for this essential trail.

Sincerely,

- Matt E

Mayor, Commissioners,

I strongly urge dedicating the remaining pool of City and County Community Transportation Enhancement Program (CTEP) funds to Centennial Trail West.  Centennial Trail has long been the focus of the City Commission and our Non-Motorized Transit Advisory Council. Centennial Trail West will provide greatly needed safe, accessible bike and pedestrian routes from Centennial Park through neighborhoods, schools, parks and residential areas.

Based on our many discussions this year and notes in the staff memo prepared for our May 14^th administrative meeting, I recommend we dedicate the remaining City and County CTEP funds to a broad scope from Benton or Henderson through the Leslie/Joslyn/Country Club Intersection to and beyond Spring Meadow State Park. All potential routes should be included to ensure finding the best feasible route with available right-of-way in the coming year.

It is clear that only our strong direction will realize this unique funding opportunity to complete essential components of Centennial Trail with the last remaining CTEP funds. 

Additional material follows.

Thank you very much!

Sincerely,

- Matt E

Matthew A. Elsaesser, Commissioner
City of Helena, Montana, USA
316 N Park Ave 59623
cell: 406.431.0815

Questions:

Why not dedicate the funds in Centennial Trails East (“Phase 1”)?

The million dollars of CTEP currently dedicated for this section of the trail should complete most, if not all of the shared use paths for this section. Sidewalks and bike lanes or bike boulevards for the East section should be addressed by other City funds and Commission action.

Potential (Added) Alternative to include in Scope of Centennial Trail West: 

*Henderson Bridge *Improvements at Joslyn/Leslie/Country Club Intersection

*Trail from Centennial Park to Benton *Benton Crossing *Bike Boulevard or other improvements on Leslie from Henderson to Joslyn *Improvements along existing rail easement from Benton to Joslyn *Connection to Spring Meadow along Country Club or platted Leslie Street *Continued trail West with potential partners such as Green Meadows Country Club, Archie Bray, VA, Fort Harrison, Prickly Pear Land Trust, and others…

Alternative Connections from Josyln Street West:

[Click either image to enlarge]

Exhibit Submitted to Railroad January 2014

Existing Trail Shown in Yellow

"Centennial Trail Celebration Ride" Tonight in Helena! Family friendly shuttle from Montana Wild at 5:30pm, bike ride starts at 6pm!

Centennail West Now Open!

Friends of Centennial Trail

Pictures from Centennial Trail West Kick-Off October 16, 2015, more details here.

A project of Prickly Pear Land Trust

Helena, Montana



Centennial Trail Celebration Ride

For Immediate Release:

Join other Helena-area bicyclists on September 20, and celebrate the paving of several

segments of Helena’s Centennial Trail by cycling from its current beginning, immediately

northwest of Walmart, to its present western terminus at Montana Wild. A ribbon-cutting, a

delicious Big Dipper ice cream cone, and a free public showing of the film, Inspired to Ride,

follows. Everyone is welcome.

Here are the details:

The Centennial Trail Celebration Ride date is Sept 20, beginning at 6 pm. Anyone able

to cycle five miles at a moderate-to- relaxed pace (5-10 mph) is welcome to join the ride. The

ride should take about an hour. The trail travels along car-free paths and city streets. In places

the path is graveled; most road-, town-, or mountain-bike riders should be able to comfortably

negotiate the (few) uncompleted rougher sections of the trail.


Cyclists begin the ride at 6 pm at the corner of Billings and Blaine (NW of Walmart). For


those who wish to leave a car at Montana Wild, the ride’s finish, the Trail Rider Shuttle, Bike

Helena's bus and bike-trailer, will leave Montana Wild at 5:30 pm for the ride’s start-point near

Walmart. There’s room for about 30 riders on the shuttle.


After the ride, and after ice cream, cyclists are encouraged to stay and enjoy the

exciting, inspirational movie, Inspired to Ride. This family-friendly, 1 hour 28 minute long feature

film was released in 2015. It follows 45 cyclists competing in the first Trans Am Bike Race, a

self-supported sprint beginning in Astoria (OR) and ending in Yorktown (PA). This free showing

is in conjunction with the Helena Bicycle Club’s September meeting.

(more)

The Friends of Centennial Trail is a project of Prickly Pear Land Trust. FOCT supports

the design, construction, completion, and ongoing maintenance of Helena’s backbone non-

motorized trail, an east ̶ west pathway for walkers, runners, and bicyclists of all ages and

abilities.

###

[Press Release from Friends of Centennial Trail; images from earlier post on this blog or taken by author]

Public Meeting Tonight for Centennial Trail West & Country Club Intersection Project(s)!

[from City of Helena Online]

Public Meeting: Centennial Trail West & Country Club Rd Projects

March 10, 2015 - 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

---

Public meeting scheduled for the 

Centennial Trail West and

Country Club Intersection Projects

March 10, 2015 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
City-County Building 316 North Park Avenue, Room 426

A Public Meeting will be held to present the Centennial Trail West project, a Community Transportation Enhancement Program (CTEP) project, and the Country Club Intersection improvements. The project goal is to provide a shared use path along Joslyn Street with access to the Spring Meadow Lake State Park and improve the Joslyn Street and Country Club Avenue intersection to accommodate the new path.

The intent of the meeting is to present and discuss the Centennial Trail West and Country Club Intersection improvement options selected by the Helena City Commission.

Community participation is a very important part of the process, and the public is encouraged to attend the meeting and provide comments. Written comments may be submitted by mail to Cody Salo, DOWL, 1300 Cedar Street, Helena, MT 59601; or by email to csalo(at)dowl.com.

Please submit comments by April 10, 2015.

DOWL will attempt to provide accommodations for any known disability that may interfere with a person's participation in this activity. To request accommodations please call Cody Salo at (406) 442-0370.

[End]

See also "Centennial Trail West to be Built this Summer!"

Centennial Trail West to be Built this Summer!!

Friends,

This afternoon the City of Helena Commission approved a final route to safely connect Centennial Trail from Joslyn to Spring Meadow State Park! 

A abridged version showing of the consultants handout follows (full presentation here, pdf file). A full version can be downloaded here. The route will utilize a former rail spur recently acquired by Lewis & Clark County in partnership with Friends of Centennial Trail and Prickly Pear Land Trust. 

The route for Centennial Trail West will also include improvements to the Country Club, Joslyn, and Leslie intersection (also below). A four-way stop will increase safety immediately and provide a superior level of service.

Centennial Trail West is primarily funded by the last of Community Transportation Enhancement Funds (CTEP) allocated to Lewis & Clark County and City of Helena. The intersection improvement will be funded by gas tax approved by the commission for this current 2015 fiscal year.

Sincerely,

Matt E

Matthew Elsaesser, Commissioner

City of Helena, Montana, USA

406.431.0815

Celebrate Centennial Trail West at Noon this Friday, October 16th!

  

Celebrate Centennial Trail This Friday, October 16th! This will be a great opportunity to celebrate the establishment of a safe, accessible path across town. Event will include an update of currently schedule construction and discussion of what needs to be done to complete the trail across town to East Helena and to Fort Harrison to the West. 

Centennial Trail West will provide a safe, accessible pedestrian and bike path along former rail right of way recently donated for the project shown from "A" to "F" above and discussed in more detail here. 

WHEN

Friday, October 16 – Noon to 1 p.m.

WHERE

We will be meeting at the intersection of Joslyn Street and the trail, east of the Reynolds Trailer Court

WHY

Because the Centennial Trail, when fully constructed, will be the backbone east/west urban connecter through Helena that will provide people who are walking and biking safe travel routes from Spring Meadow Lake to East Helena.

Contact Ryan Kettel , Non-Motorized Transportationl Advisory Council Chairman at 406.495.0151 for more information.

Important decisions for safe, accessible walking and biking infrastructure made last Wednesday at the Helena City Commission

This image is taken from the Centennial Trail Mast Plan. The initial route shown above as "Phase 3 Shared Use Path and Crossings" in orange and blue was planned assuming yet to be seen subdivision development, acquisition of railroad right-of-way, and additional funds. The alternative endorsed by the City Commission last Wednesday will capitalize on existing right-of-way, planned improvement to the Leslie/Joslyn/Country Club Intersection, and partnerships with entities to the west. 

Last Wednesday, the Helena City Commission direct staff to apply remaining CTEP funds to a pedestrian crossing at Roberts ($30,000), a crossing near CR Anderson Middle School ($25,000), and towards continuing Centennial Trail West ($400,000+) to provide a safe ADA, biking and walking connection from the Westside of Helena to Spring Meadow State Park. The new route for Centennial Trail West will utilize existing right-of-way along Joslyn ("A."), a trail along the mostly undeveloped platted section of Leslie Street ("B." or "B.-F."), and West to park along Country Club with a separated asphalt path or sidewalk depending on available right-of-way, utility easements, and water drainage. 

A safe connection for children, families, and commuters is long overdue in this area. The City Commission should continue to develop the remaining areas of the trail, especially a ADA/Bike/Pedestrian bridge across Henderson Street and a safe crossing at Benton. 

An alternative route exploring a connection of area "F." and "C." to connect to the park should also be explored.  

More details from a related post linked here.

Thanks!

- Matt E

Funding for Secondary Routes in the Helena Area, Urban Funds

[Update: The City Commission has prioritized Benton Avenue, Henderson Ave, Sixth Avenue, and Eleven Avenue for the use of these funds. The Commission determined it would be better to utilize street utility, gas tax or other funds to establish the South Helena Gateway safety project for Cruse and the Cruse/Cutler/State Intersection due to the small scale of investment needed for that project.]

The Transportation Coordination Committee for the Helena area will be discussing the prioritization of "urban funds" at their September 8th meeting.

Urban Fund Details: 

Map of routes eligible for Urban Funds

From Urban Funds overview provided by MDT.

From Urban Funds overview provided by MDT.

Potential Project for the TCC to consider:

(Draft list provided to City Commission at Admin Meeting August 19, 2015)

Urban Funds: City, County, East Helena, and others on TCC should commit the current reserve of funds and next four years of funds through 2019. This will allow for staff to plan, meet with project partners and to get projects on ground to improve safety and conductivity in our community. As the last dedication of these funds was focused on support of alternative routes for the Custer Interchange and the Interchange itself, more local projects are appropriate and can meet community goals. Other funds from public and private sources may compliment many of these projects.

Potential Projects:

• South Helena Gateway I; Safety improvements from Cruse Avenue from Park to Cutler $.25-.3m

• Convert excess right of way to non-motorized facilities, make median a formal park, and improve intersection safety

• Recreation and public opportunities in area already maintained by parks
• Model example of green infrastructure
• Provides substantial safety improvements was demonstrating improved utilization of right-of-way to save costs

• South Helena Gateway II; West Main Traffic Calming and Safety Improvements: $.25-.75m

• Improve safety at juncture between Gulches
• Compliment West Main Project including utility and storm water work in flood plain downtown
• Allow redirection of much needed gas tax funds to other, non-urban routes

• Safe Routes to Schools Connections with ADA/Bike/Pedestrian Bridge at Henderson: $.4-.8m

• Sheltered stairway from east side of bridge to Henderson Path
• Sidewalks or path to Broadwater Estates and to Waukesha

• Install curbside sidewalks on one side of Broadway from Capitol to Broadway Tunnel: $.15-.5m

• Airport Road: $1-1.5m

• Fix drainage issue with cost match from utilizes impacting ditch

• Shared use path from Washington to Helena College of north side of road
• Shared use path from Helena College to Carter on south side of road
• Safe crossing for trail, consider private contribution to trail in lieu of sidewalks

• Shared use path one west side of Montana Ave to Lincoln Road; Intersection Improvements between City and Lincoln Road: $.15-.5m

• Green Capitals concepts for Cruse from Cutler to Broadway or Sixth or 11th: $.25-.75m

• Look at center median and related concepts for beautification, green infrastructure and safety outlined for Last Chance Gulch between Euclid and Neill

• Green/Complete Boulevard, Centennial Trail East Improvements on Lyndale: $.1-.3m
• Safety improvements and road expansion at Benton: $1-1.5m

• Crossing for Centennial Trail

• Safety for events and use of public facilities
• Compliment Quiet Zone investments
• Signal and Centennial Trail West Crossing at Transfer Station/Carroll College
• Turning lanes and approaches for neighborhoods and recreation areas

• Sidewalk installation, traffic calming, and route improvements for Hauser from Benton to Henderson: $.1-.21m

• Safety and traffic improvements for Urban Route Section of Hauser
• Explore “Green and Complete Streets” concept outlined in Greening Capitals Report and storm water amendments to city tree ordinance.

• Others?

• Green Meadow intersections?
• Freeway entrance to Lincoln road?

Potential changes or additions to urban routes in greater Helena area (mid-long term per future changes to urban routes):

• Additional routes in East Helena and East Helena area
• Changes to urban routes of Lyndale and Lamborn east of Montana, possibly to Boulder and California
• Extension of Airport Road to East Helena
• Other?

Henderson Bridge and Centennial Trail!

On Wednesday, January 22, 2014, a majority of Helena City Commission directed staff to prioritize Henderson Bridge with remaining CTEP funds. Discussion include a letter from Helena's Non-Motorized Transportation Advisory Council to prioritize the bridge, while continuing planning for the additional projects in the event right-of-way cannot be acquired. The deadline to apply for remaining CTEP funds in September 30, 2014. The City of Helena would need to secure permission to use Montana Rail Link right-of-way (and BNSF) prior to submitting the proposal. Eric Bryson attended the meeting and confirmed Lewis & Clark Counties commitment of around $100,000 in CTEP funds that could support the Henderson Bridge or other parts of Phase 1 of Centennial Trail. 

Memo by Commissioner Elsaesser: 

Public Meeting of Joslyn/Country Club/Leslie Intersection with Wednesday, April 29, 6:30pm at Montana Wild Center!

From HelenaMT.gov:

Public Meeting: Joslyn/Country Club Road Intersection

April 29th, 2015, 6:30-7:30pm at 2668 Broadwater Avenue-Montana Wild

---

A Public Meeting will be held to present the Centennial Trail West project and the Country Club Intersection Improvement design

Project Goals:

• Provide a shared use path along Joslyn Street with access to the Spring Meadow Lake State Park.
• Improve the Joslyn Street and Country ClubAvenue Intersection

Date: April 29, 2015
Time: 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Location: Montana Wild 2668 Broadwater Avenue

---

Links:

www.helenamt.gov/public-works/engineering/master-plans/budgeted-capital-projects.html

<- Back to: Home

More about this project and Centennial Trail West here and following:

Happy 150th Helena: Looking ahead to 2014

In today's Helena Independent Record!

Happy 150th Helena!

Dear Helena,

Helena celebrates 150 years in 2014 and, it’s an exciting time for the future of our fine City! First, I would like to congratulate Mayor Smith, Commissioner Ellison, and Commissioner-elect Haladay on their election this fall. I thank them for their commitment to serve Helena. I look forward to working with the Commission, the many new members of the Helena Citizens Council, City staff, Helena residents who bring ideas and concerns to us directly and serve on the many boards that guide our decisions. It will be a busy year on your City Commission. There are several topics that deserve special attention as we continue our City’s prosperity for another 150 years.

Recycling:  Twenty years ago, our community made recycling a priority by establishing the Transfer Station and City Solid Waste Collection utility (details at MatthewElsaesser.com). A few years ago, the City of Helena Solid Waste Utility was restructured to increase staff capacity and a renewed focus on recycling. The City of Helena Transfer Station’s recycling program has grown to include more drop-off sites throughout town, provides renters permits for recycling, and includes additional items such as electronic waste and fibers. As demand and opportunities for recycling continue to grow, City services should continue to adapt to meet this trend. 2014 is the time for a permanent, ongoing plastics collection at the facility. In January, City staff will present a program on this topic to the City Commission (S.A.V.E. is hosting a plastics drive January 10-13th to bridge the gap until a permanent program starts). 

This progress should continue with the City providing more frequent electronic waste collection, more efficient curbside, establishing a point system for residential trash permits that account for special items that have additional recycling or disposal costs, and establishing community events for household hazardous waste. A comprehensive review is soon to be underway of solid waste collection and recycling by the City and the Lewis & Clark County Scratch Gravel Solid Waste District. The review process will help the City and County prepare to meet this demand for the next ten to twenty years.

Public Transit and Accessible Transportation: In 2013, the City of Helena was recognized nationally as a Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists, and globally as an International Mountain Biking Association Ride Center destination. Both accolades acknowledged ongoing improvements to provide accessible, safe biking and walking in Helena. The recently opened bike and pedestrian tunnel extending from Broadway under the freeway compliments this trend. The City has set policy and dedicated resources to continue the expansion of more accessible, safe biking and walking next year. Our community should see the long-awaited Centennial Trail connect Centennial Park with a safe off-street trail to Spring Meadow State Park (including a bridge over Henderson Street), and East Helena. 

Eventual recreation opportunities should include connections to fishing on Prickly Pear Creek in the remediated ASARCO land and Rail-to-Trails to Great Falls with the “Corps of Discovery” trail. Helena deserves, and will greatly benefit, from a complete network of safe, accessible trails. The update of the Twenty Year Greater Helena Area Transportation Plan will help layout the groundwork. Our youth will safely get to school, our community health will improve, and all residents and visitors alike will more easily get around town, recreate, and enjoy our great outdoors open spaces as we reach these milestones.

In addition to trails, a more efficient public transit system will increase access to services and engagement in the community for those with vital needs, as well as our increasingly aging and elderly population. Implementing the Helena Area Transportation Systems (HATS) 5-year plan will allow for an inclusive system that has more routes to benefit the entire community. HATS works with an operating budget equal to Bozeman’s transit system and will be able to provide safe, reliable transit for the commuting public. This needs to be done in an inclusive way that ensures the routes also meet the needs of those dependent on the current curb-to-curb services. To quote HATS superintendent Steve Larson, 2014 will be “The Year of the Bus!”

Green Infrastructure and Growth: In the New Year, the City of Helena will spend over a million dollars on water projects along Front Street. As outlined in the EPA’s 2013 Greening America Capitol’s program that featured Helena, this can include an elevated pedestrian crossing across Neill Ave. to Women’s Park. The project affords the opportunity to update our storm water infrastructure to collect more water on site, and while doing so, should look to bring a portion of Last Chance Creek to the surface –a fitting tribute to what Mayor Jim Smith has coined “Montana’s Most Historic Mile.”

There are many challenges facing Helena, from most costs of more growth going outside of City limits to protecting the Tenmile Watershed and providing high levels of emergency services to a growing population. Many of those challenges also present opportunities for an innovation-filled future. Your local elected City officials and staff will be meeting them in 2014. Stay involved by visiting HelenaMT.gov, follow meetings on HCTV, and by contacting us directly with ideas and concerns; we value your input. It is an honor to serve the citizens of Helena. 

Happy Sesquicentennial Helena!

Sincerely,

Matt E

Matthew A. Elsaesser, Commissioner

City of Helena, Montana, USA

P.O. Box 321  / 59624