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INSIDE
Trail
loop proposed
By
Meg Olson
A proposed
trail looping around the northwest quarter of the Point is now
being evaluated by the county for inclusion on a list of proposals
that deserve funding.
On behalf
of the trails committee of the Point Roberts Economic Development
Committee being coordinated through the Port of Bellingham, Michael
Rosser submitted the proposal as part of the Washington Community
Economic Development Team process. Municipalities and counties
submit prioritized lists of projects, which go to the state for
inclusion in a statewide ranking. Granting agencies use the list
as a guide to where their dollars can most effectively benefit
communities.
The proposal
is to use county right of way along roads to build multi-use trails.
Rosser said former county road engineer Bruce Mills had shown
enthusiasm and introduced changes to county code that now allow
such use of undeveloped road rights-of-way. “That has made it
possible,” Rosser said.
The trail
would start at the border and go down Tyee Drive, a path for bikes,
pedestrians and horses separated from the road. It would turn
right on Benson Road, proceeding straight through to Marine Drive.
While the county owns some of the right-of-way needed to extend
Benson Road, Rosser said they would need to acquire the rest of
it. “That way they would have the land they needed to extend Benson
if it’s needed in the future but we could all use it now. In the
long run it would be cheaper for them,” he said.
Turning right
up Marine Drive the trail would be a combination of a shared use
roadway and trails separated from the road, depending on whether
property owners were receptive to granting easements over their
land. The trail would then head back to the border along Roosevelt
Road.
Based on
the cost per mile of trails in other communities, Rosser has put
the project cost at $420,000 and is looking for $125,000 for the
first phase. Rosser feels trails are also a vital public safety
component. “Today I saw four little kids on little bikes riding
right down the middle of Tyee Drive,” he said. “We need bike trails
here.”
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