Latest trail work will bridge gaps
Posted on Monday, May 12, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/nwat/News/65115/
The walkers, bikers and joggers who shun cars for in-city transportation are a step closer to getting across Fayetteville under their own power.
Construction begins today on the bridge abutments that herald the next stage for Scull Creek Trail, which roughly follows Gregg Avenue from the Dickson and Maple streets area, under the Fulbright Expressway via a culvert tunnel, to the Northwest Arkansas Mall area, where it meets other city trails.
“ It’s just going to be incredible for alternative transportation, ” said Matt Mihalevich, trails coordinator. “ You’ll be able to get from the Maple Street area, downtown area, Dickson Street, to the mall area, to Old Missouri Road, to Lake Fayetteville, too — basically from almost Springdale all the way to Dickson Street and Frisco Trail to Sixth Street, crossing right in front of the university. ”
The Ash Street bridge will be the first of six lowered into place over the winding ways of Scull Creek.
“ It’s being manufactured now, ” said Mihalevich, who expects the weathering steel bow-string bridge to arrive in Fayetteville on June 19. “ They plan on shipping a bridge every week after that point. ”
Mihalevich said the bridges would be delivered directly to the trail sites.
“ The crane will pick it off the 18-wheeler and set it onto the concrete bridge abutments, ” he said. “ We didn’t want to store it and have to move it again. ”
Mihalevich is confident the trail will be open by Oct. 18.
The newest section of Scull Creek Trail open to the public is from Poplar Street north to Gordon Long Park.
“ What we see and why we’ve been so excited about this trail is the connectivity it provides for so many people, ” Mihalevich said. “ So many apartment complexes through there, so many businesses, Washington Regional hospital, Wilson Park, Gordon Long Park. This corridor is perfect for hooking a lot up. ”
Before that can happen, though, there are four sections that the city doesn’t own yet.
“ We’re getting down to the wire, ” Mihalevich said.
Two of the four pieces are along rail lines.
One of those was approved for purchase by the Fayetteville City Council on Tuesday.
Mihalevich said the city is close to reaching an agreement with Arkansas & Missouri Railroad for a 99-year lease for the trail within the railroad right of way for the second of the railroad pieces.
Earlier this month the city received a 16-acre parcel from CMN Business Park by Mud Creek to hook into the Scull Creek Trail. Signatures are still being collected on an adjacent five-acre parcel.
The final of the four remaining pieces is on the north side of the Fulbright Expressway. Mihalevich said the city is working with the property owner to finalize a trail easement over an existing sewer easement.
The city is also getting an appraisal for the property.
About 30 properties have been acquired for Scull Creek Trail, and about 80 percent of the acreage was donated to the city, Mihalevich said.
In 2006, 13 pieces of property were donated for the trail and two purchased. In 2007, 10 were donated and three purchased. So far in 2008, five properties were donated and one purchased.
“ It’s looking good. I think we’ll make it, ” Mihalevich said.