Scene of work underway on the Urban Trail Wednesday at Fuller Lodge Lawn. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
Workers lay cement for the Urban Trail Wednesday along Fuller Lodge lawn. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
Los Alamos County is expanding its trail system only this time the County is taking its trails downtown.
The work is already visible; walk past Fuller Lodge lawn and the zig and zag of construction tape, troughs of earth and parked building equipment is clearly visible.
This work-in-progress is all part of the Urban Trail Project, which started in December but was interrupted by the winter weather. The project resumed this week. The project, according to Project Manager Keith Wilson, encompasses a little under a mile of a 10-foot-wide concrete multi-use trail that begins at the intersection of 20th Street and Trinity Drive, continues north and through Fuller Lodge, travels along a short section of Peach Street, then moves to Ponderosa Street, goes through a wooded area by the tennis courts on Canyon Road and finally ends near the Aquatic Center.
It is reported on the County web page for the project that work includes constructing curb and gutter, making drainage improvements as well as adding retaining walls, lighting, signage, striping, a rapid flashing beacon and 370 linear feet of an elevated boardwalk.
The total cost for the project is a little more than $6.8 million and the work was awarded to Hasse Contracting.
The estimated time of completion is November or December, but Wilson said the goal is to have the section by Fuller Lodge and 20th Street completed by mid April “so it won’t impede on the summer activities in the area.”
The planning process for this project started in 2017 when a bicycle plan was being developed, Wilson said. The plan received significant input on improving the multi-use trail system so people would not need to ride their bikes or walk along the streets.
There was a big interest within the public “to make a completely off-road system for bicycles (and) to get around without jumping in their cars,” he said.
The new system should also assist tourists and others walking around Fuller Lodge. Wilson pointed out that the new trail will be twice as wide as the original sidewalk so “hopefully it will make it more pleasant to walk through.”
“I think it fills a need for multiple uses,” he added.
Council Chair Denise Derkacs agreed. Council approved awarding the bid for the project to Hasse Contracting in October.
“The multi-use Urban Trail will be an exciting addition to the County,” she said. “The project supports Council’s priorities to revitalize the downtown area, promote tourism, and improve mobility through alternative modes of travel, including walking and cycling.”
The effort to expand the County’s trail system doesn’t stop at the Urban Trail; Wilson said ultimately, Urban Trail will connect to the Canyon Rim Trail.
“It is intended to be one big trail,” he said.
The work to connect the two multi-use projects is a separate project. Wilson said some easements have been secured but the County is working to hire a design consultant and more easements will need to be acquired.
For now, there seems to be a lot of excitement for the development of the Urban Trail, he said.
He noted that when he talks to people walking by the construction about the project there seems to be a lot of support for it.
“There’s a lot of enthusiasm for the project,” Wilson said.
Work Zone Area 1. Courtesy/LAC
Work Zone Area 2. Courtesy/LAC
Work Zone Area 3. Courtesy/LAC
