Trestle to Trestle Trail soon to completed

Posted Sep 12, 2007
10,255

Before the snow flies, cool-weather bikers and hikers will be able to make use of the newest trail connection in the Des Moines area: The Trestle to Trestle Trail. [Updated Sept 23rd with new photos]

By A DM Biker “We anticipate a completion date of 4-6 weeks from now“ Polk County Conservation director Pat Boddy said Thursday. “ We're really fortunate we were able to get the trail to go under Beaver, but it's adding a little time to the construction, of course, says Boddy. Polk County is coordinating the effort which is funded by the county, state and the cities of Johnston and Des Moines.

[Easterly view of south end of Trestle to Trestle Trail. Note the Inter-Urban bridge over DM River.] Over the past two weeks, the southern stretch of the T2T trail was paved. That’s from the Interurban trail on the west side of the Des Moines River, north under Euclid. The trail jogs across what is now a parking lot of the old Target store which is being transformed into county office space. West of that building it takes a northerly trek along an old rail bed through an old brickyard and veers west. Paving at this time ends in front of Bob Lenc Landscaping on Lower Beaver Road. Eventually paving will extend through wooded area west of Beaver, under I-80/35 to Johnston. For now, however, it’s still closed as construction continues. But look for completion by end of October.
View Larger Map The Trestle to Trestle Trail will especially be welcomed in Johnston, connecting the northwest suburb to the InterUrban Trail ( and a safe connect to Beaverdale!) and the Neal Smith Trail. This will allow trail connections to Downtown Des Moines, The Principal Riverwalk, Meredith Trail, Gray’s Lake, Water Works Park and links to the Bill Riley, Great Western and eventually, the Walnut Creek Trail. Of coursed users will also be able to use the Smith Trail for Saylorville Lake & Polk City access. By the way, Boddy says work continues on the Ankeny to Woodward trail planning and Gay Lea Wilson Trail. More updates coming!