Connection could create 7.1mile multi-use trail in Jasper

A proposed 2.8 mile connection from the Jasper Riverwalk to the St. Charles path could create a 7.1 mile multi-use trail in Jasper by the end of 2016 the summer of 2018.

Mayor Terry Seitz held an open meeting to introduce the proposed route to the public Tuesday evening after the Jasper Park Board meeting.

The extension will begin at the intersection of St. Charles and Northwood Avenue and extend east to Newton and continue on 30th Street to Cathy Lane. It will continue along Cathy Lane to Kellerville Road and then connect to the Riverwalk.

The city has $469,540 of federal money from a Transportation Enhancement Grant combined with a 20 percent match from the city for a total of $586,925 available to be used towards the project. And, according to Clark Dietz, Inc. — the engineering firm designing the trail extension — the amount is enough to cover the cost of the upfront fees that include an environment assessment and procurement of the right-of-ways along the proposed route.

The extension is estimated to cost $2,342,500 and according to Clark Dietz, the Indiana Department of Transportation has verbally acknowledged the city would receive a grant for 80 percent of those costs with the city providing the remaining 20 percent.

It will take nearly three years to complete the project but if it is completed in phases, a segment could be completed from Northwood to Newton in 2015 and the final completion done by the end of 2016, according to Wes Christmas, vice president Clark Dietz.

Spurs connecting the walkway to the newly named Parklands (former country club property) either along 15th Street or from Northwood. “The easiest connection will be from St. Charles along 15th Street,” Christmas explained.

An attendee asked about providing an extension of the St. Charles path north up Portersville Road to provide a walkway from Jasper Middle School. Many children from the Maple Grove mobile home park and the Northbrook and Windsong neighborhoods walk along Portersville Road to the middle school.

City Engineer Chad Hurm stated that Portersville Road is not scheduled for any significant overhaul at this time. The mayor added that the proposed extension was part of the multi-use trail and not planned to go that far north at this time.

“It is something that’s on the radar,” Hurm said.

Those in attendance were excited about the proposed extension.

“I knew this project was ongoing but I didn’t know there were still funds available when I came into office,” Mayor Seitz said. “We have enough funds to complete the design and maybe, I hope, the acquisition of right-of-ways to build to 231 (Newton Street).”

According to the mayor, this is infrastructure for our century.