DOT studying recreational trail in western Iowa

Sat September 22 2007
Posted Sep 22, 2007
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By Nick Hytrek Journal staff writer Someday, it might be possible to ride a bicycle on a recreational trail from Sioux City to the Iowa-Missouri border. The Iowa Department of Transportation will soon hire a consultant to develop a route for what would be known as Iowa's Lewis and Clark Trail. "Whoever takes this on is going to have a challenge," Dakin Schultz, DOT District 3 transportation planner on Thursday told the Siouxland Regional Transportation Planning Association, which is part of SIMPCO, the Siouxland Interstate Metropolitan Planning Council. The DOT received a $250,000 federal earmark to conduct the study, which is expected to be finished in June 2009. What route the 150-mile trail will take is anyone's guess, Schultz said. It's possible that the entire route won't run next to the Missouri River, instead utilizing existing recreational trails, county roads and lightly traveled highways in the river's proximity. "I imagine it's going to snake around," Schultz said. Some new trail construction is also possible. Schultz said that once the final route is recommended, decisions on how the trail develops, including funding, could mainly be up to local governments and groups. "Some of that task may fall to communities, to counties, to planning organizations to make it happen," Schultz said. The Lewis and Clark Trail would be one of five "bicycle trails of statewide significance" the DOT would like to develop in the next 20 years. A similar trail is planned along the Mississippi River in eastern Iowa. As possible routes for the Lewis and Clark Trail are studied, Schultz said the consultant will provide chances for public input. Nick Hytrek can be reached at 712-293-4226 or nickhytrek@siouxcityjournal.com. Dakin Schultz, Iowa Department of Transportation District 3 transportation planner, gave the following updates on area highway projects: -- Resurfacing of U.S. Highway 20 between Moville and Correctionville is scheduled for completion in October. Pilot vehicles continue to lead traffic through construction. -- By the end of the year, the Iowa Highway 60 bypass around Sibley will be completed. Once finished, the four-laning of the highway will be completed, except for the last 1.5 miles to the Minnesota border. Schultz said the Minnesota Department of Transportation has begun grading that last portion and is scheduled to complete construction next fall.