Work set to begin on next stage of multi-use trail around Jasper

Work on the next section of the multi-use run/walk/bike trail around Jasper should begin this spring.

Bids from two contractors were opened during the Jasper Board of Public Works and Safety meeting Tuesday morning–Ragle Incorporated bid $2,094,222.13, and Knies Construction bid $2,178,342.75 for the project. Both bids were taken under advisement.

The trail extension will be paid for with an 80/20 split funded through a $2 million grant the city was awarded by the Department of Natural Resources Next Level Trail grant program and allocated funding from the city’s budget.

The nearly 1.28-mile section will connect Mill Street near the new Whitey Schroeder Driving Range to St. Charles Street when it is completed.

Plans call for the extension to run along Mill Street to the northern boundary of the driving range, turn west and then turn north to connect with 30th Street. It will then travel west on 30th Street before intersecting with U.S. 231/Newton Street, where a new pedestrian crossing will be constructed. After crossing U.S. 231/Newon Street, the trail will continue west on Northwood Avenue until meeting the multi-use trail on St. Charles Street.

Here is a map of the new addition.

According to City Engineer Chad Hurm, Northwood Avenue will be reduced from three lanes to two from Market Street to St. Charles to accommodate the trail on the south side of the street.

“What we’re going to do is use a portion of the eastbound lane and make that into the trail and then convert the street to a two-lane road that will eliminate the turning lane up to Market Street,” Hurm explained. “And then from Market Street to the highway, it will still be three lanes.”

Hurm expects work to begin in late March or early April.

Eventually, the city would like to have the trail reconnect with the Riverwalk at the Ruxer Disc Golf Course to complete an approximately 11-mile loop.