By Jason Pohl
Things got heated as the Fossil Creek Trail expansion project came under fire during the March 23 Parks and Recreation board meeting.
Mark Musgrave, a property owner near the area of construction, voiced concern over the expansion of the trail near his home. Speaking on behalf of an organized group of neighbors, he said there are “multiple areas of concern” regarding the project.
“We are worried about safety...the finances...and the lack of responsiveness,” Musgrave said.
According to the fcgov.com, the project will connect Spring Creek Trail across Pine Ridge Natural Area, under County Road 38E and end at Cathie Fromme Praire.
The tunnel near Highlands West Drive and County Road 38E will be similar to those located throughout Fort Collins, especially on Spring Creek Trail, and it is the predominant concern of Musgrave because of the blind turns onto a road “where people already speed.”
The posted speed limit at the intersection is 40 mph.
“I have had to call an ambulance in the past, and we think it will only get worse if this project continues," Musgrave said. “The tunnel comes out too steep.”
Musgrave also showed concern over the funding of the project, which is budgeted at $1.4 million through grants from Keep Fort Collins Great, the natural areas program and Great Outdoors Colorado.
“There's a lot of other things to be done in Fort Collins, and we don't know if this is financially the best project right now,” he said.
"We have had almost no response from anyone. They all point in different directions, and that concerns us, too," Musgrave said after the Parks and Recreation board explained that this project is not their business, but rather that of the county.
"It's important to remember who is in control of this," J.R. Schnelzer, a Parks and Recreation staff member said.
According to Director of Park Planning Craig Foreman, the county board has had traffic engineers take all the necessary precautions. They have also reviewed the additional signage that will be placed and vegetation that could obstruct views of the path.
"They have the plans laid and the schematics set, but I will pass these recommendations and concerns on to the county board," Foreman said.
The Parks and Recreation board decided to examine the area in question to determine if anything could cause alarm.
Construction began April 1 and is expected to take up to five months to complete. If construction goes as planned according to the city, there will be a road closure between Windom Street and Highlands West Drive. Detours around Horsetooth will be necessary.
For additional information on detours and to follow progress of the trail expansion project, visit www.fcgov.com.
What is included?
Cost: $1.4 million
Pedestrian Underpass
2 pedestrian bridges
Retaining walls
1 mile of new concrete trail
Good story, great job of providing the reader with relevant info. The quotes are well balanced.
ReplyDeleteI think you did a really good job on this story! I really liked the graphic you included and your breakout of what's included. The story was really interesting, and you provided a lot of quotes and evidence.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting! The graphic definitely added to the story as well. I think you made the story interesting too with the breakout bullet points at the end.
ReplyDeleteNice work making a dry topic interesting! I like your graphic too because it breaks up the story and ads visual interest.
ReplyDelete