Community celebrates completion of new bike trail in Idaho Falls

The pursuing is taken from a news merchandise from nan metropolis of Idaho Falls.

IDAHO FALLS — Idaho Falls organization members tin now bask caller pathways arsenic nan Meppen Canal Trail opens, enhancing nan city’s expansive way system.

The metropolis celebrated nan two-mile trail’s expansive opening pinch a ribbon-cutting ceremonial Monday afternoon. Local officials gave immoderate remarks astatine nan trailhead astatine 900 Northwest Bonneville Drive and organization members brought bikes and scooters to thrust connected nan paved trail.

The Meppen Canal Trail is designed to boost recreational opportunities and amended information for pedestrians and cyclists passim nan area.

“The Meppen Canal Trail is simply a cardinal measurement guardant successful our efforts to amended organization connectivity and safety,” said PJ Holm, City of Idaho Falls Parks and Recreation Department Director of Idaho Falls. “This way not only enhances section recreational opportunities but besides aligns pinch our broader imagination of integrating our organization done well-planned infrastructure. We are proud to connection a pathway that will service residents and visitors alike.”

The Meppen Canal Trail is simply a important constituent of nan City of Idaho Falls’s broader inaugural to heighten accessibility and connectivity for its residents. Among nan much than 30 miles of paved trails successful Idaho Falls, nan Meppen Canal Trail provides nonstop entree to nan 3 miles of canal way that opened successful 2021. The afloat canal way strategy provides nonstop entree from nan College of Eastern Idaho to nan bosom of Idaho Falls.

This recently paved conception features precocious information measures, including:

• HAWK Beacons: Two High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk (HAWK) beacons astatine Woodruff and 1st Street, equipped pinch overhead lights that extremity postulation to guarantee safe crossings for pedestrians and cyclists. These beacons were funded by nan City’s Signal Fund.
• RFBs: Two Rapid Flashing Beacons (RFBs) astatine Kerney and John Adams, which usage side-flashing lights to alert drivers but do not require a afloat stop. These were funded by Local Highway Technical Assistance Council Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant, on pinch nan remainder of nan project.

The Meppen Canal Trail is portion of nan City of Idaho Falls’ “Connecting Our Community” plan, a broad strategy aimed astatine linking Idaho Falls pinch neighboring communities, including Ammon, Iona, Ucon, and nan Bonneville Metropolitan Planning Organization work area. This scheme focuses connected creating a cohesive web of pathways to facilitate safer and much accessible multi-modal proscription alternatives.