By Cathy Spaulding
Phoenix Staff Writer
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Muskogee Parks and Recreation Department officials are looking at the Arkansas River as an ultimate destination for the city trail system.
But first, they face several obstacles, including crossing Main Street and Shawnee Bypass, working with the railroad companies and securing adequate funds. And, even if all obstacles are cleared, the trail would not be finished until at least 2012, said Muskogee Parks and Recreation Director Mark Wilkerson.
Wilkerson said the city is preparing to apply for Oklahoma Department of Transportation funding for trail development from Main Street to the Arkansas River at Oklahoma 16. The Muskogee Public Works Committee approved the application proposal Tuesday and sent the recommendation to the City Council, which meets Monday.
With the exception of the original Centennial Trail around the Love-Hatbox Sports Complex, ODOT has funded 80 percent of the city’s trail construction, Wilkerson said. The city matches the remaining $200,000. The trail currently begins at Fourth and Elgin streets, winds around Hatbox at 34th and Arline streets, then goes northeast to U.S. 69 just north of Park Boulevard, ending at a tunnel under the highway. Wilkerson said the city is preparing to seek construction bids on the third and fourth phases, to extend the trail to Main Street, just south of Douglas Street and an Arby’s restaurant. He said he expects those phases, which follow an abandoned rail line, to be completed in spring 2011.
Wilkerson said he estimates the fifth phase to cost $500,000.
“Our portion would be $100,000,” he said, adding that city funding is supported through the city’s Capital Investment Program.
However, the city must find ways to cross Main Street and Shawnee Bypass before finishing the application, due at ODOT by Oct. 1, he said.
“The conceptual plan was to have a pedestrian-activated traffic light at Main Street and to go under the overpass at Shawnee Bypass,” Wilkerson said. “The railroad people don’t want us to do that.”
Shawnee goes over two active railroad tracks, leaving little space for a trail and requiring railroad rights-of-way.
He said he is working with the Tulsa landscape firm of LandPlan Consultants Inc., on crossing alternatives. He said one alternative might be to have the trail cross Shawnee at Main Street, but there would be too much traffic.
Wilkerson said it might take two more construction phases to reach the Arkansas River.
“Assuming that ODOT accepts the proposal, I’d like to say that a year from now, it will be out for bids, which would put completion in spring 2012,” he said.
Reach Cathy Spaulding at 684-2928 or cspaulding@muskogeephoenix.com.
