TRAIL: 'No' vote an epic fail

It has been a longstanding goal of bicycle/pedestrian advocacy groups to rebuild the existing trail along the east side of Highway 95 to current standards for non-motorized use along this corridor.

ITD is poised to fund the reconstruction of trail from Appleway to Highway 53 and to build new trail north to the Bonner County line. This is a gift to the community in the amount of $1.2 million for the replacement trail alone. ITD’s funding is conditioned on government agencies entering into an agreement to maintain the trail. The county’s portion of trail maintenance is estimated to cost a mere $3,000/year from the maintenance budget. Without the county’s agreement to maintain the northern portion of trail, this project will not come to fruition. Kudos to the city of Coeur d’Alene and commissioner Fillios for their support. The county commissioners will be meeting this Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. to vote on this matter. Please contact them to express support for this exciting trail project.

Trails and parks are key elements to a vibrant and healthy community, increased property values and attracting employers to a region. A new north-south trail paralleling Highway 95 would be a perfect complement to our growing network of recreational and commuter trails such as the Centennial, Prairie Hiawatha and the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes.

Commissioners: Please do the right thing by capitalizing on this low-hanging fruit.

DENISE LUNDY

North Idaho Centennial

Trail Foundation board member