Post Falls pedestrian trail seeing early use

The new bike and pedestrian trail connecting East Seltice way and East Mullan Avenue along the east side of Highway 41 was paved Thursday, May 19. The trail is open for use even though the contractor still needs to finish the retaining wall and clean up the area.

The new trail is 8.5 feet wide and a half-mile long.

The trail used to be a small dirt path and many people felt it was dangerous to use because it was so close to the highway.

On its Facebook page, the city of Post Falls said “the trail is already seeing a significant amount of pedestrian traffic.”

Post Falls Mayor Ron Jacobson said he’s heard nothing but good responses to the new trail.

“It’s not a perfect solution but it helps with the safety of those who use the trail,” he said. “It would be nice to extend it further north but I don’t know what’s in the plans.”

W.M. Winkler Co. won the construction contract for this project for $518,132 not including design or engineering.

The city received a $500,000 Community Choices grant from the state that helped pay for most of the project. The Post Falls Urban Renewal Agency contributed an additional $300,000 in matching funds.