[Update: Successful Event!]
Next Steps:
[End Update]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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.
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| Celebration of Centennial Trail West made possible by four new sections of public right-of-way made possible by donations and partnerships! |
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| 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.
