Council looks to lock down route for Pine Haven walking paths

Pine Haven’s council and HDR Engineering’s Heath Turbiville and Mike Oakly have been discussing the best possible route for the remaining phases of the planned bike/pedestrian walkway as the engineers complete the remaining 30% of the project’s feasibility study.

The next portion of the pathway is planned to run along Pine Haven Road from Waters Drive up the hill toward Pendleton Drive.

“That’s the most important pathway,” Oakly recently said, “so people from town can walk on that to get up to the top of the hill…and it’s also kind of the backbone to some of the other loops.”

At this week’s monthly workshop, construction challenges and rights of way were deliberated as the group considered which side of the road will best suit.

“We have surveyed both sides of the road…” Oakly explained, “to determine which side of the road makes the most sense.” After a multitude of considerations including drainage, necessary crossings, rights of way, etc. the engineers have suggested the west side of Pine Haven Road as the most practical route.

After providing council their reasoning, Oakly spoke candidly to the council members, “I wanted to bring our findings to you and get your feedback… because the final decision is yours…it’s your pathway.”

Historically, according to Turbiville, the existing phases of the pathway consists of the stretch along Waters that was finished in 2006; then, the portion on Hays was completed in 2009. The wider walkways are utilized by adults and children alike as a safe alternative to walking or riding bicycles in the streets.

The funding for this work originates with the federal government through the Department of Transportation and is disseminated to local governments through WYDOT as grants in an ongoing effort to reduce road congestion and safer modes of pedestrian travel.