With $2.9 million, Lexington plugs ‘gap’ to connect 28 miles in city trail system
Lexington’s trail system got a boost Monday with the announcement of $2.9 million in state funding for two shared use trails.
More than $500,000 will go toward the construction of a 12-foot-wide shared use path that will continue the Citation trail. That shared use path completes a connection between Masterson Hills Park to the Town Branch trail.
It’s a key connection that will allow people access to 28 miles of trails, which will make using the trail to walk or bike to downtown Lexington easier, Lexington and state officials said Monday.
“Completing this gap in the Town Branch Trail network provides a continuous shared use path network stretching 28 miles from Masterson Station Park to the Kentucky Horse Park via Lexington’s Citation trail, Town Branch trail and Legacy trail after decades of private and public sector investment toward this goal,” said Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman, who made the announcement Monday during a press conference at Lexington’s city government center.
Approximately $2.3 million will go toward the construction of a shared use bicycle and pedestrian path on Alumni Drive from Tates Creek Road to New Circle Road — a roughly 2 mile stretch.
The project will create a continuous bicycle and pedestrian path on Alumni Drive from the Squires Road trail, outside of Man O’ War Boulevard, to the existing Alumni Drive trail at the University of Kentucky’s campus, which extends to the UK Arboretum and to Nicholasville Road.
Doug Burton, director of engineering for the city of Lexington, said it will likely be three years before construction on the Alumni Drive shared use path begins. That project is still in the design phase but the city has already set aside right of way for that project.
Design work has already been completed on Citation trail. Construction on that section of shared use trail will start in the next 18 months to two years.
Burton said as the city’s shared use paths become easier to use and safer, more people will hopefully opt to bike or walk than drive.
“Folks don’t do a mode change from cars to another mode of transportation until they have the facilities to do so,” Burton said.
Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton said Lexington’s trail system allows for greater connectivity and better health outcomes for residents. The city has spent decades creating trail systems all over Lexington, she said.
“Both the Citation Trail and Alumni Drive shared use paths will promote connectivity and accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists,” Gorton said.
The $2.9 million is from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s Transportation Alternatives Program. The city has previously received money from the TAP program for other trail projects.
