Lack of funds sinks new bike trail

HAYDEN — Bicycle advocates hoping to revive an effort to construct a trail along U.S. 95 from Garwood to Sagle learned on Tuesday it isn't going to be exactly a downhill ride.

About 10 people told Kootenai County Area Transportation Team (KCATT) members the trail north of Coeur d'Alene is needed because it would be an economic benefit to the area, promote healthy lifestyles, lead to cleaner air and provide a safe mode of transportation.

Bill Irving of Climate Action CDA had just arrived at the meeting at the Idaho Transportation Department office on bicycle when he spoke in support of the trail.

"It would be great for tourism and an alternative to driving," Irving said. "If it protects the climate from being damaged, by giving people an alternative to cars, I'm all for that."

Damon Allen, ITD district engineer, said a bike trail on the 31-mile stretch was planned as part of the U.S. 95 highway improvements completed about two years ago and funded under the Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicle (GARVEE) program.

GARVEE bonds were a financing mechanism used by many states to finance highway projects. The bonds were secured by federal transportation funds from the federal highway trust fund, which is funded from motor fuel taxes that are levied on a federal level.

Allen said the preparations were made for the bike trail, but the trail wasn't constructed as funds ran out.

"We're bound by the EIS (Environmental Impact Statement) to provide a bike path, but we don't know when that will be or how it will be funded because the (GARVEE) projects closed out," he said. "What you see is what you're going to get under the GARVEE bond program out there."

Allen said transportation funding continues to be a hurdle.

"ITD is lacking funds to even take care of what we have currently, not to mention expanding anything," he said.

Allen said, on the positive side, he's optimistic a grant will soon be approved for improvements along U.S. 95 in Coeur d'Alene and that would include rehabilitating the existing trail from Interstate 90 to Highway 53.

If that happens, ITD would then be able to turn the trail over to local groups as originally planned.

"It would be a win-win," Allen said, adding it's the only paved bike trail in the state in ITD right of way that is still owned by the state.

Allen said bicycle trails typically don't compete well against road and bridge management programs in the state's improvement plan.

"If there's funds available at the end of the year, I always ask for bike paths, but most of the time that is shot down and whisked to another part of Idaho for turn lanes," he said. "We don't have a mechanism (to fund) bike paths just because the locals want it. That's the struggle."

Glenn Miles, executive director of the Kootenai Metropolitan Planning Organization, gave the bicycle advocates guidance on how to get in line for funding for the trail. He said if firm local data can be submitted showing the economic benefits that bicycle trails bring that would help get the ball rolling and hold weight with those deciding how funds should be allocated.

Darla Kuhman, former Athol mayor, said a bike trail along U.S. 95 would be a great fit for not only that city but Silverwood Theme Park, a major tourist attraction.

"I was saddened when the bike path was put on the table," she said. "There may be other solutions for funding. It is worth the time and effort."