Highway 95 trail appears to be a go
The reconstruction of the 7.9-mile U.S. 95 trail from Appleway Avenue to Highway 53 came one step closer to reality on Wednesday when the majority of the Kootenai County Commission voiced support for the county assisting with maintenance on a portion of the trail. This is a rough stretch along the trail near the intersection of Bosanko Avenue and U.S. 95. (LOREN BENOIT/Press)
This map shows the current 7.9-mile trail along U.S. 95 that is expected to be reconstructed in 2019, the jurisdictions and the possible future 11.2-mile extension from Garwood Road to the county line. (Graphic courtesy of Idaho Transportation Department)
COEUR d’ALENE — Bicycle advocates rode a county commissioner’s support on Wednesday to what is expected to lead to the reconstruction of the trail on the east side of U.S. 95 from Appleway Avenue to Highway 53.
Although a vote wasn’t taken at the meeting — that will likely come on one of the next two Tuesdays — Commissioner Bob Bingham verbally indicated he’d support the county paying an estimated $3,000 a year for basic maintenance of its 3.1 miles of the 7.9-mile stretch.
With Commissioners Marc Eberlein and Chris Fillios divided over the proposal at a previous meeting and Bingham unable to attend due to illness, Bingham’s apparent support tilted the scale toward a pending maintenance agreement and ultimately a reconstruction project of the broken-up trail that was constructed in the early ’80s and has been largely unkept.
The Idaho Transportation Department needs maintenance buy-in from local jurisdictions — Coeur d’Alene is already on board with its 2.7-mile section — to leverage $1 million in federal grant funding to reconstruct the trail.
"I’m not sure if we are ready to accept the MOU (memorandum of understanding), but we can say, ‘Let’s proceed and get the attorneys working back and forth,’" Bingham said Wednesday.
Reconstruction of the trail is planned for 2019.
Fillios has been on board with the maintenance proposal from the start, saying it’s the right thing to do for bicyclists and pedestrians. The return on investment will come with economic development, he’s said.
Eberlein said he can foresee additional funding being required in the future, especially for seal-coat projects, bathrooms, drinking fountains and another eventual reconstruction, and is interested in all jurisdictions paying their fair share.
"I’m not really giddy about it, but at the same time I see the benefits," he said. "Forever (to maintain the trail) is a long time. At some point, we may be asked to shell out a significant amount of cash."
The city of Hayden provided matching funds for the grant that will improve the U.S. 95 corridor, but is unable to fund trail maintenance in its 3.1-mile stretch because of budget constraints.
Kootenai County Parks and Waterways Director Nick Snyder said he’s confident that the county and Coeur d’Alene can meet in the middle on Hayden’s portion until Hayden can contribute.
Other trail maintenance-related funding that is waiting in the wings, but not finalized pending the MOU and other approvals, is a $50,000 stipend from ITD, which Fillios said reaffirmed his desire to move forward. That funding possibility was presented on Wednesday.
Wednesday’s meeting became tense at one point when Eberlein excused himself to leave due to a commitment in Spokane. He left before public testimony and the other commissioners discussed the proposal but after he’d asked Snyder and officials from other local jurisdictions pointed questions about costs and maintenance buy-in.
Eberlein didn’t leave without Rathdrum’s Joe Flinn questioning the exit.
"You’re paid to sit here," Flinn said. "You should stay. This is your elected position."
Eberlein said he had a responsibility to tend to in Spokane and that he’d been at the county’s Administration Building since 5:30 a.m.
The other commissioners defended Eberlein.
"In Marc’s defense, he had this pre-arranged," Bingham said "I missed the first meeting (on the trail due to illness)."
Fillios added: "We all have responsibilities. Believe me, you get your money’s worth."
The meeting was moved from the third-floor meeting room to a larger room downstairs due to about 30 people in attendance. Thirteen spoke in favor of the county maintaining the trail during the public comment portion of the meeting and no one spoke against the proposal.
Glen Seely, who lives in the Coeur d’Alene area, said he believes it’s a "no-brainer," especially because the trail makes the community vibrant.
Denise Lundy said that, as a real estate broker, one of the first questions employers looking to locate here ask is about recreation opportunities.
Others said the reconstructed trail would help with obesity problems, provide bicyclists an alternative north-south route to crowded Government Way, and help those who pedal to get around.